About Sciadopitys verticillata (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc.
Sciadopitys verticillata is a slow-growing evergreen conifer that is native to Japan. In cultivation, it typically grows to 10–15 m (33–50 ft) tall, while larger specimens can be found growing in the wild. This species has two defining features: reddish-brown bark that peels off in vertical strips, and distinctive foliage. The foliage is made up of whorled, glossy, dark green cladodes, which are modified stem structures that look like needles. Each cladode measures 6–13 cm (2.5–5 in) in length. Seedlings of this species grow one pair of cotyledons and one pair of primary leaves. Cladodes are arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters at the tips of branches, which is what gives the tree its common name. The seed cones of Sciadopitys verticillata are shaped from ovoid to cylindrical, and are 6–11 cm (2.5–4.25 in) long. These cones need roughly two years to reach full maturity.
