Formosan Yunnan Catkin Yew (Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. formosana)
Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. formosana - Taiwanese Catkin Yew Profile
Steep cliffs and shaded ravines in southern Taiwan provide the exclusive refuge for Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. formosana.
This rare variety grows in warm-temperate rainforest understories, preferring highly humid conditions. It is highly protected due to its critically low population size in the wild.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ superclass Gymnospermae
- ∟ division Pinophyta
- ∟ subclass Cupressidae
- ∟ order Cupressales (Cypresses and junipers)
- ∟ family Taxaceae (Yew family)
- ∟ genus Amentotaxus (Catkin yew)
- ∟ species Amentotaxus yunnanensis (Yunnan catkin yew)
- ∟ variety Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. formosana (Formosan Yunnan Catkin Yew)
Morphology
The plant grows as a small evergreen tree reaching up to 10 meters in height, with a greyish-brown bark. Its leaves are linear, coriaceous, and slightly curved, featuring two broad, white stomatal bands on their abaxial surface. Female plants produce large, drupe-like seeds enclosed in an aril that turns reddish-purple at maturity.
Interesting facts
The seeds are often dispersed by small mammals that eat the fleshy aril. Because of its limited distribution and low reproductive rate, this gymnosperm is considered a relict species from the Tertiary period.
Geography of distribution
- Taiwan
Sources
- GBIF Secretariat: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy
- WFO: World Flora Online
- POWO: Plants of the World Online