Thursday 4 January 2018

Plant of the month January 2018

Fitzroya cupressoides (Patagonian Cypress)
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Chile, Argentina
Accession: 2007
Location: Americas








 Fitzroya cupressoides is the largest tree species in South America, native to the temperate rain forests in the Andes of Chile and Argentina, where it grows in poorly-drained volcanic or sandy soils, up to 40–60m in height and 5m in diameter. It was named by Darwin after Captain Fitzroy of HMS Beagle. In 1993 a specimen from Chile was found to be 3622 years old, making it the second oldest living tree species. Heavy logging in the 19th and 20th centuries for its valuable timber, and clearance by fire for agriculture, has led to its current endangered (Red List) conservation status.


Thanks to Maggie Gowland for photographs.


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