Taiwania cryptomerioides Seeds | Taiwania
LATIN NAME: Taiwania cryptomerioides
COMMON NAME: Taiwania
Plant Profile
Taiwania cryptomerioides, better known as Taiwania, is a tree. Taiwania looms tall, columnar trunk with short, spreading branches and small, scale-like leaves that taper to fine points, the whole tree carrying the ancient, monumental look of the great conifers of the East. Foliage hangs in soft, ferny sprays, bark peels in fibrous, reddish-brown strips, and tree grows into one of tallest of the eastern conifers. Small cones hold winged seeds, and tree stands cool, moist climate well. Not many plants ask so little and repay so much.
Science & Biotechnology
Taiwania cryptomerioides sits in the Taiwania group, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Taiwania stands among giant conifers of the East, and ancient lineage has a recognised place in studies of conifer conservation and mountain forests of Taiwan. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Taiwania for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. In cool garden, taiwania carries mountain forest into the landscape. Columnar trunk and soft, ferny sprays give rare, ancient presence, fine, light timber has served construction and joinery for generations, and tree stands as one of great trees of the East. It thrives in deep, moist, sheltered ground and rewards patient grower with slow, majestic rise. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
A tree like this repays patience for decades: it cools and shelters its surroundings, hosts birds and insects, and stores carbon in timber that outlives its planter.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Taiwania under ordinary good conditions. Fill a pot with a light seed compost, sow evenly on the surface, cover thinly and stand it somewhere warm, bright and evenly moist. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Among the Taiwania group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. It is a solid representative of the Taiwania group, true to type from seed. Give the seed freshness and steady moisture, and nature handles the rest.
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