| Libocedrus bidwillii | |
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| L. bidwillii in the West Coast Region | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Libocedrus |
| Species: | L. bidwillii |
| Binomial name | |
| Libocedrus bidwillii | |
Libocedrus bidwillii, also calledpāhautea,kaikawaka orNew Zealand cedar,[2] is a species ofLibocedrus,endemic to New Zealand. It is in the cypress familyCupressaceae.
Libocedrus bidwillii is named afterJ. C. Bidwill, the New Zealand botanist and explorer.[3] The species is commonly named by itsMāori names, pāhautea or kaikawaka. However, according toDOC botanist Geoff Rogers, pāhautea is preferred correct form.[4]
It is anevergreenconiferoustree growing to 25 m tall, with a trunk up to 2.5 m diameter. The foliage is arranged in flattened sprays; theleaves are scale-like, 1.5–2 mm long and 1 mm broad, arranged in opposite decussate pairs on the shoots. Theseed cones are cylindrical, 8–12 mm long, with four scales each with a prominent curved spine-like bract; they are arranged in two opposite decussate pairs around a small central columella; the outer pair of scales is small and sterile, the inner pair large, bearing two wingedseeds. They are mature about six to eight months after pollination. The pollen cones are 2.5–5 mm long.[5]
The timber seldom becomes commercially available. It is very light in weight and a distinct light purple when cut. The timber in small dimension sizes is prone to spiral and twist when cut. It is sometimes used for lightweight sailing boat construction. It glues and holds ring nails well.
The tree grows in both theNorth andSouth Islands; in the North Island, it occurs fromTe Aroha southward. It grows at 250–1,200 m altitude in temperaterainforests.[5][1] It is absent fromStewart Island.[4]
Libocedrus bidwillii is listed asnear-threatened species.
Apart from logging, the main threat ofLibocedrus bidwillii comes frompossums. Severe possum browse can kill a cedar tree, leaving only stark stag head.[4]
Authority control databases: National |
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