52. Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don CUPRESSACEAE
Japanese cedar
This conifer is native to China and Japan, but is planted as a fast-growing timber tree in the East Himalaya, especially around Darjeeling, where the wood is used for building and to make tea chests. Seed of it was first sent to India in 1844 by Robert Fortune, who had trained at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is best known for his efforts to introduce tea plants to India from China.
Photograph of a Cryptomeria japonica cone, RBGE herbarium
RBGE Living Collections Accession Factsheet
Accession Number:19490126
Scientific Name:Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D.Don
Family:Cupressaceae
Genus:Cryptomeria
Epithet:japonica
Plant:19490126A
Location:/Living Collections/Inverleith/B09/ZZZD30
