  Chinese stamp honoring C. argyrophylla (4). | Cathaya argyrophylla Chun et Kuang 1955Common NamesTaxonomic notesThe sole species in Cathaya Chun et Kuang.Syn: Pseudotsuga argyrophylla; Tsuga argyrophylla (3); C. nanchuensis Chun et Kuang. C. nanchuensis is "now considered to be an ecotype of C. argyrophylla rather than a separate species" (1). DescriptionTree: Monoecious, evergreen, medium tall (1).Bark: Gray, furrowed and scaly (1). Branches: Horizontal (1). Shoots: Two kins, long and short (1). Leaves: Acicular, spirally arranged on long shoots and on short shoots dense, almost in whorls, with an indistinct petiole. Dark green above and light green below, with 2 silvery-white stomatal bands and 2 subepidermal resin ducts. Juvenile leaves ciliate on the margin and pubescent on the upper surface. Buds not resinous. Cotyledons 3-4 (1). Cones: Attached by a short peduncle or almost sessile on short lateral shoots, do not disintegrate, initially erect, later at an angle, persisting for several years (1). Cone scales: Fertile scales rounded with 2 seeds; bract scales long and pointed (1). Pollen cones: Ovate-oblong on short lateral shoots. Pollen grains with 2 wings (1). Seeds: Obovate with a short, broad wing (1). Wood: Similar species: RangeChina: SE Sichuan, NE Guizhou, SW Henan, NE Guangxi, 1400-1800 m (1, 3). The nanchuensis populations occur in Yunnan, mostly in the Kunming area and SE (2).Big TreeOldestDendrochronologyEthnobotanyObservationsRemarksCitations(1) Vidakovic 1991.(2) Vladimir Dinets, e-mail communication, 2-Jan-1998. (3) Silba 1986. (4) Stamp designed by Zeng Xiaolian and issued 10-Mar-1992. Image available at http://www.bupt.edu.cn/stamp/plant/92_3.htm, accessed 12-Apr-1999. See also: Hou H.Y. 1983. The geographical distribution of natural and cultural vegetation in the humid subtropics of China. P. 311-316 in W. Holzner, M.J.A. Werger and Ikusima I. (eds.), Man's Impact On Vegetation no. 5. |
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