| Libocedrus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Libocedrus plumosa, Kawaka, New Zealand | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Subfamily: | Callitroideae |
| Genus: | Libocedrus Endl. |
| Type species | |
| Libocedrus doniana | |
 | |
| Natural range ofLibocedrus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
StegocedrusDoweld | |
Libocedrus is a genus of five species ofconiferoustrees in the cypress familyCupressaceae, native toNew Zealand andNew Caledonia.[1] The genus is closely related to theSouth American generaPilgerodendron andAustrocedrus, and theNew Guinean genusPapuacedrus, both of which are included withinLibocedrus by somebotanists. These genera are rather similar to theNorthern Hemisphere generaCalocedrus andThuja: in earlier days, what is nowCalocedrus was sometimes included inLibocedrus. They are much less closely related, as recently confirmed (Gadek et al. 2000). The generic name means "teardrop cedar", apparently referring to drops of resin.
Theleaves are scale-like, 3–7 mm long, in apparent whorls of four (actually opposite decussate pairs, but not evenly spaced apart, instead with the successive pairs closely then distantly spaced). Thecones are 8–20 mm long, and have just 2 pairs of moderately thin, erect scales, each scale with a distinct spine 3–7 mm long on the outer face, and bearing two wingedseeds on the inner face.
The species recognized in the genus are:[1]
| Phylogeny ofLibocedrus[2][3] |
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Libocedrus austrocaledonicaBrongn. & Gris | New Caledonia | |
 | Libocedrus bidwilliiHook.f. | North + South Islands ofNew Zealand |
| Libocedrus chevalieriJ.Buchholz | Poindimié, Mt. Humboldt, + Mt. Kouakoué inNew Caledonia | |
 | Libocedrus plumosa(D.Don) Druce | North + South Islands ofNew Zealand |
| Libocedrus yateensis Guillaumin | Povila, Bleue-Yaté river, +Ouinné river inNew Caledonia |
The two New Zealand species, known individually by theirMāori nameskawaka (Libocedrus plumosa) andpāhautea (Libocedrus bidwillii), are sometimes calledNew Zealand cedars. No common names have been recorded for the three New Caledonian species.[citation needed]
Thewood ofLibocedrus is soft, moderately decay-resistant, and with a spicy-resinous fragrance. The two New Zealand species are also grown asornamental plants.
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