Taxus sumatrana

Content

Description

Large, slow-growing tree to as much as 45 m high and over 1 m diam., but considerably shorter on exposed ridges. Leaves on older specimens or from exposed positions more nearly linear and straight and abruptly narrowed at the apex, 1.5-2.5 cm by 1.5-2 mm, with slightly recurved margins. Leaves on juvenile specimens or on vigorous shoots linear lanceolate and often falcate with a prominent bend near the base and also sometimes with a slight reverse curve near the apex which is narrowly acute and often slightly spiculate, 2-4 cm long by 2-2.5 mm wide at the widest part below the centre of the leaf.

Distribution

Asia-Temperate: Taiwan (Taiwan present), Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present); Sulawesi (Sulawesi present); Sumatera (Sumatera present), Benguet present, Bon-thain Peak present, Central and SW present, Davao present, Eastern Himalayas present, Laguna present, Lepanto present, Luzon present, Mindanao present, N. Burma present, SE. China present, South Vietnam present, Tayabas present, from Karoland southwards to Benkulen present

Eastern Himalayas, N. Burma, SE. China, Taiwan, South Vietnam; in Malesia: Sumatra (from Karoland southwards to Benkulen), Philippines (Luzon: Lepanto, Benguet, Laguna, Tayabas; Mindanao; Davao), Celebes (Central and SW.: Bon-thain Peak). , .

Uses

A magnificent timber tree, but occurring too locally to be of importance and too slow-growing for cultivation.

Notes

The extensive synonymy partly stems from the discontinuous distribution, but several authors insist that two types exist in China. Whereas immense trees are seen in undisturbed forests of Taiwan and in Malesia, on the mainland only smaller trees are normally seen with one type reported mostly at lower elevation and another at higher elevation. Both types, however, often appear from the same collection area and I was able to collect both from a single large Formosan tree, part from low on the tree and part from high up. It appears that trees rarely get beyond their early stages of growth in lowland China, while highland trees, as is usual elsewhere, are of much reduced stature.

Citation

GAUSSEN 1979 – In: Gymn. Act. & Foss.: 16

HARRISON 1967: Handb. Conif. & Ginkgo: 598

GAUSSEN 1979: p. 16. – In: Gymn. Act. & Foss.: f. 858

KANEH. 1936: Formos. Trees, rev. ed: 31

YAMAMOTO 1938: p. 182. – In: J. Soc. Trop. Agric.: f. 42

REHDER 1937 – In: Not. R. Bot. Gard. Edinb.: 261

STEUP 1936: p. 41. – In: Trop. Natuur: f. 1

REHDER 1927 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 88

BÜNNEMEIJTER 1921: p. 55. – In: Trop. Natuur: f. 8

Ll & KENG 1954: p. 29. – In: Taiwania: pl. 2

WILSON 1926 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 41

REHDER 1940 – In: Man. Cult. Trees & Shrubs: 3

HAND.-MAZZ. 1929 – In: Symb. Sin.: 2

BEAN 1933 – In: Trees & Shrubs Brit. Is.: 476

Hu & CHUN 1929 – In: Icon. Pl. Sin.: pl. 53

LAW 1947 – In: Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin.: 143

STEEN. 1934 – In: Bull. Jard. Bot. Btzg: 194

DALLIMORE & JACKSON 1923: Handb. Conif.: 71

ORR 1933 – In: Not. R. Bot. Gard. Edinb.: 124

LEMEE & LEVEILLE 1914 – In: Bull. Acad. Int. Geog. Bot.: 20

FANG 1946 – In: Icon. Pl. Omeiens.: t. 190

MASTERS 1926 – In: E. & P., Nat. Pfl. Fam., ed. 2, 13: 210

METCALF 1942 – In: Fl. Fukien: 23

Merr. 1923 – In: En. Philip. Fl. Pl.: 5

WILSON 1926 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 40

REHDER 1923 – In: J. Arn. Arb.: 119