Hello students. This is non-flowering plants. You are in front of a young Sequoiadendron. This Genus has only two known species, only one being extant. Sequoiadendron chaneyi went extinct 5-12 MYA. The earliest of these lived lakeside in the area of what is now Nevada. They were particularly abundant in North-facing forests. From there, a series of storms likely carried the seeds to the Alpine Region of California, where only a few fossilized specimen have been found. A direct descendant of this species is Sequoiadendron giganteum. This species is commonly known as the Giant Sequoia or Giant Redwood. The most notable feature of this plant is certainly its size; These are the largest trees by trunk volume and mass known. The biggest trees are estimated to be somewhat over 6,000 tons. They are quite tall, a specimen is recorded as 360 feet high. By comparison, that is taller than the Statue of Liberty. As trees grow taller, their lower branches die readily from shading. It takes quite some time to grow this mass. One tree is estimated to be about 3,300 years old. However, each living cell in the tree is no greater than a few decades old. These trees are constantly growing new, living cells over dead interiors. The wood of the Sequoiadedron is relatively resistant to decay, but it is not uncommon for the dead interior to rot away, leaving trees hollow. There are obstacles with being so big. Water movement in tall vascular plants typically relies on a pressure gradient. Sequoiadendron giganteum has suspended aerial roots to absorb water from the fog around their crowns. Leaves are awl-shaped and arranged spirally on shoots. The trees are monoecious; male and female cones live on the same tree. Cones are 4-7 centimeters long with spirally arranged scales. Each scale houses several seeds; there are 230 seeds per cone. A mature tree will typically have about 11,000 cones, thus dispersing 300-400,000 seeds per year. The trees are known for their flame-retardant bark, which is fibrous relatively soft to the touch. They thrive on Nitrogen-rich post-fire soil. It has been argued that they are dependent on forest burns their growth; there is current controversy due to the National Park system suppressing fires, possibly risking the health of these trees. The roots of this plant are particularly shallow, only a few feet deep. This is an adaptation to take in water even if it is only a light rain period, but it also leaves the plants very vulnerable. These trees often die by toppling from their weight, or sustain damage from human foot and vehicle traffic. These trees grow in limited areas amongst the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. They grow in groves; there are currently 68 total groves of these trees. To see them in their groves, one must go to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and in Giant Sequoia Monument. And that’s all that I have to say about that.
Hello students. This is non-flowering plants. You are in front of a Podocarpos totara. The name of this Genus is derived from two Greek words; podos=foot, karpos=fruit. Divergence of this species is hypothesized to have occurred between 10 and 20 MYA. Plants of the Podocarpus are the most numerous and widely distributed of their family, Podocarpaceae. Podocarpus look distinctly different from most other conifers. This is likely due to the collection of Podocarpus sp. evolving in warmer, more humid environments than other conifers. They are able to adapt in many environments, and persist in warm tropical forests dominated by angiosperm trees. Podocarpus leaves usually sport a single, distinct midrib. Their leaves are in alternate arrangement, and linear to ovate in shape. These plants are dioecious; they have male and female reproductive organs separated on different trees. Cones are axillary, growing at the base of stems. Male cones are cylindrical, solitary and attached directly by the base (sessile). Female cones too are solitary. They are terminal and inverted. When matured they are segmented into 2 enlarged scales; one part a makes up an enclosed seed, and the other a bright, attractive fruit. This unusual cone structure mimics the brightly colored edible fruits of the non-coniferous plants it has evolved by. Podocarpus certainly uses the vivid fruit to its advantage in distributing its seeds, attracting birds and humans alike. The fruits of most Podocarpus species are edible raw, when eaten in small amounts. They are described as having a mucilaginous texture and a slightly sweet flavor. Leaf and stem extracts from this plant are used in traditional South African medicine for treatment of fever, cough, cholera, arthritis, venereal disease, and canine distemper. Their influence has moved to Western culture as well; the Genus is a strong candidate for pharmaceutical uses in medicine, food, and cosmetics. And that’s all that I have to say about that.
Hello students. This is non-flowering plants. You are in front of an Araucaria heterophylla. The Araucaria are named for a group of people that Spanish explorers called the Araucano; they were Pehuenches peoples living in the Andes who were particularly taken with the trees. They considered the tree sacred. Plants of the Genus Araucaria are mostly dioecious; male and female reproductive organs are present on different specimen. Male cones can be solitary or clustered, and are terminal. They are typically oblong. Female cones are globose and grow apically, typically high atop the trees. Females are heavy with large, usually edible seeds that are described as “milky”. These very same seeds were the base of the Pehuenche diet. Branches of the Araucaria are whorled, spiraling from the center. Adult leaves are usually scale or needle-like, and typically are arranged in an imbricate spiral pattern. Leaves are often noted for being particularly sharp. Araucaria grow in forests and in chaparral. They thrive from complete exposure to the sun. Araucaria are often referred to as “living fossils”, as they date back to the early Meozoic age. They are relicts; they once were abundant, and now are of restricted distribution. Araucaria that are particularly large are often used for timber. Some Aruacaria seeds are known to be nutritious delicacies. The plants are used pharmaceutically for their anti- ulcer, antiviral, neuro-protective, antidepressant and anticoagulant properties. And that’s all that I have to say about that.
Cedrus. Genus is in the family Pinaceae and only has from 2 to 4 species. Cedrus deodara is considered a sister to a clade containing C. atlantica, C. brevifolia, and C. libani. Monoecious trees, meaning they have male and female parts. Needles come in dense clusters from woody pegs. Fruits are large, barrel shaped cones. Cones are cylindrical, 5-10 cm long, and mature in their second or third year. The seeds of Cedrus are also large and triangular. Young trees have smooth gray bark, become furrowed and scaly. with two kinds of shoots, including long terminal shoots with solitary and spirally arranged needles, short shoots with tufts of needles. Cedrus leaves persist for 3-6 years Cedrus deodara is a species of Cedrus used for medicinal purposes. Cedrus deodara contains pharmacological properties including antifungal, anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal, analgesic, immunomodulatory, insecticidal, hypocholesterolenic, hypotensive, antitubercular, and anticancer effects. True cedars have evergreen needles borne in dense clusters, scales fall apart at maturity. True cedars exist in contrast to false cedars (Thuja), native to the pacific northwest, which are characterized by scaled leaves. True cedars are native to middle and far east, different than cedars native to pacific northwest. Three true cedars are commonly planted in the pacific northwest including Cedrus deodara, C. atlantica, and C. libani. Cedrus libani is said to have been used to build king Solomon’s temple.
Metasequoia. A part of the family Taxodiaceae, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is the only known species of Metasequoia, and one of three species of Sequoia; giganteum and sempervirens. Originally thought to be extinct, it was later determined to be extant. When the fossils were discovered in 1941 they were originally thought to be Sequoia or Taxodium; since the observed foliage was similar to Taxodium distichum; until the japanese paleobotanist Shigeru Miki studied the fossils and determined the foliage was too long to be Sequoia or Taxodium, and observed that the foliage appears to have opposing leaves instead of alternating leaves and named them Metasequoia which means “almost sequoia”. In 1947 a chinese forester named Kan from beijing natinoal central university discovered three deciduous trees that he previously had never seen, and in 1948 it was deteremined that the trees belonged to the then recently established genus Metasequoia. Also in 1948, Metasequoia was spread among arboreta everywhere in the world to prevent extinction due to logging, which is the business of felling trees and cutting and preparing the timber. The goal was to engage in preservation. Also called dawn redwood, dawn was chosen to emphasize the early fossil record of the tree. Metasequoia is a deciduous conifer, meaning it loses its leaves in autumn. Needles are 15 mm long. Female cones are 2.5 cm in diameter; bark is reddish brown when young. It was one of the most widespread tree species in northern hemisphere during tertiary period. fossils found in northern hemisphere, greenland, and spitzbergen. It grows 30 to 45 m, does well in north eastern parts of the U.S. Metasequoia grows well in temperate environments and does not grow well in extremely hot climates in southern America.
Pinus A part of the family Pinaceae, pines appeared about 60,000,000 years ago during the Mesozoic era, making them some of the oldest plants of which we have knowledge. Plants in this genus are also among the fastest growing conifers in the world. This is a relatively diverse genus with about 100 species, and some species of this genus are not trees but bushes and shrubs. Many thrive in dry, poor soil environments. They are able to survive under less than optimal conditions because pines develop extensive root systems, whether tree or shrub, but this also limits their ability to relocate. Leaves are needle-like and occur in bundles called fascicles. They can have as many as 8 needles per fascicle. Needles arranged in spiral about the stem. In general needles last about two years, while most have needles at all times. Very diverse habitation, Guatemala, West Indies, North Africa, and Malayan archipelago. Only Pinus merkusii has crossed the equator. Pinus is well adapted for dry environments. Male and female flowers are separate, and while females become cones with seeds, males release pollen that the cone eventually catches. Some species need heat from forest fires to open, called serotinous. Pinus trees are monoecious, at a maturity both female and male parts are formed. Male structures 0.4-0.8 in in diameter, lower part of tree. Females larger and higher on tree Pines used extensively for timber for construction and furniture. Also production of turpentine, rosin, pulp and paper. Much of the wood is processed and the chemical components extracted from pinus trees are cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractive substances.
Sequoia This genus consists of one living species, Sequoia sempervirens, which is the iconic tree commonly known as the Redwood. It is famous for its enormous trees along the coast of northern California. Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, with the record set at 379 feet. This aspect of the tree has contributed to the controversy of cutting them down. Luckily, there are many state and national parks that preserve ancient groves of these beautiful trees. The relationship between humans and the beautiful coast redwoods has a fascinating history that should be understood with regard to the Native Americans as well as European settlers. At least twelve Native American groups occupied Coast Redwood territory. These groups used the trees in various ways. However, in the course of a few decades, European settlers and profiteers had destroyed most of the Redwood forests that had coexisted with Native Americans for countless centuries. The plank-house is a great example of a traditional and sustainable use of Redwood timber. Native American tribes would use timber from Redwood trees that had fallen on their own, or taken from trees without significantly harming them. The timber was made into planks, and then used to construct small houses. Some of these included clever features, such as a roof with planks that could be moved to suit the weather, or to allow fire smoke to escape. Various qualities of the wood of Sequoia sempervirens make it valuable as timber. For example, it is resistant to termites, as well as decay.
Juniperus. This genus is comprised of the plants commonly called Junipers. Juniperus lies within the Cupressaceae family. One can often see members of this family outside of buildings as hedges, often carved into unnatural looking geometric shapes. In this way, they play a role in the human ecology of urban and suburban life, providing privacy, and protection from wind and noise. Juniperus is a conifer, and is atypical among this group in that it is dioecious. This means that male and female reproductive organs are found on different individuals. Female plants bear a small cone that look like fruit. These are called Juniper Berries, and they contain the ovules that are pollinated for reproduction. Juniperus has a fascinating history with humans. Junipers have been used medicinally to treat symptoms of kidney stones, and they have been used for consumption. With regard to cuisine, Juniper Berries have historically been used as a spice; wild game such as rabbits and pheasants are seasoned this way, adding a pungent, even bitter flavor. In addition, they are used to flavor sauerkraut. The female cones of Juniperus are also used in the making of gin. The preparation of gin has been developed and refined, and the appreciation of this spirit can be compared to wine. Gin is made by soaking dried Juniper Berries in alcohol. Different types of gin are made this way, and gin tasters use crackers to cleanse their palate when comparing gins.
Taxodium mucronatum, or Montezuma Cypress, is a coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae. It ranges from deciduous to evergreen, depending on where it lives; in warmer climates it is evergreen, while in cooler, northern climates it loses its leaves during the winter. The tree can grow to about 150 feet. During the Cretaceous period, about 145.5 million years ago, species of the genus Taxodium could be found in east Asia and Europe, in addition to North America, where extant species live today. Taxodium mucronatum has also been used medicinally. The Aztecs would breath the smoke of burned wood as medicine, and also used the tree's resin. The use of the tree as a treatment for diarrhea has in fact been vindicated by modern science, as well as its use as a gastrointestinal medicine.
