Widdringtonia nodiflora

It is an evergreen multistemmed shrub or small to rarely medium-sized tree growing to 5-7 m tall. The leaves are scale-like, 1.5-2 mm long and 1-1.5 mm broad on small shoots, up to 10 mm long on strong-growing shoots, and arranged in opposite decussate pairs. The cones are globose, 1-2 cm long, with four scales. Each tree produces both male and female cones. It is unique in the genus in its ability to coppice, readily re-sprouting from burnt or cut stumps; this enables it to survive wildfires, and is considered a major factor in allowing its abundance relative to the other species in the genus. Its wood is highly non-flammable - another adaptation for its fire-prone environment.

Widdringtonia nodiflora (Mountain Cypress) is a species of Widdringtonia native to southern Africa, from southern Malawi, southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe and eastern and southern South Africa. It is the only widespread species in its genus, and the only one not threatened or endangered. It is an evergreen multistemmed shrub or small to rarely medium-sized tree growing to 5-7 m (rarely to 25 m) tall. The leaves are scale-like, 1.5-2 mm long and 1-1. More

Widdringtonia nodiflora (Mountain Cypress) Close-up of cones of above tree . Widdringtonia nodiflora (Mountain Cypress) Close-up of bark of above tree . - Contact us if you can contribute information or images to improve this page. More