Poilane Yunnan Catkin Yew (Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. poilanei)
Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. poilanei - Taxonomy and Habitat
Mountain ranges in northern Vietnam host the extremely rare conifer known as Amentotaxus yunnanensis var. poilanei.
This variety thrives in damp karst limestone forests, often growing under the canopy of larger broadleaf trees. Due to severe habitat fragmentation, its wild populations are highly isolated.
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. poilanei (Poilane Yunnan Catkin Yew)
Morphology
This evergreen tree or large shrub displays broad, linear-lanceolate leaves with two white stomatal bands on the underside. The male strobili are arranged in long, pendulous catkin-like spikes, which is a characteristic feature of this genus. The seeds are surrounded by a fleshy, yellowish-red aril when mature.
Interesting facts
The pendulous male pollen cones resemble catkins, which is a very distinctive feature among gymnosperms. This variety is named after the French botanist Eugène Poilane, who collected extensively in Indochina.
Geography of distribution
- Vietnam
Sources
- GBIF Secretariat: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy
- WFO: World Flora Online
- POWO: Plants of the World Online