Sciadopitys verticillata, the Koyamaki or Japanese Umbrella-pine, is a unique conifer endemic to Japan. It is the sole member of the family Sciadopityaceae, a living fossil with no close relatives, and known in the fossil record for about 230 million years. It is an evergreen tree to 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7-12cm long green cladodes which look like, and perform the function of, leaves but are actually composed of stem tissues; occasionally, a cladode will be forked and produce a bud in the 'v' of the fork. The cones are 6-11cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales which open to release the seeds.

It is a very attractive tree, so popular in gardens, though very slow-growing and therefore expensive.

External links

• Arboretum de Villardebelle Photos: foliage, immature cones
• Arboretum de Villardebelle Photo: mature cone
• Gymnosperm Database