Vietnamese cypress of new genus and species

2002/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Botanika

In northwestern Vietnam, a group of scientists discover a species of cypress unknown so far.

In October 1999 botanists found the tree under study of orchids in the area, but they have not done so until it is not certified that it is a new species. This small conifer, called Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, has a peculiar puff pastry: adult cypress, along with its needle-shaped leaves, also have the shape of scales that young trees have. In addition to its natural scarcity, its aromatic wood is highly appreciated for the manufacture of coffins and is about to disappear.

7 years earlier it was detected in Australia after the Wollemi pine and no other conifers were found, so the last finding occurred in 1948.