Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is a massive conifer native to coastal California and Oregon. …
Maguan sequoia (Sequoia maguanensis)
Silhouette: Michele M Tobias
/ License
Sequoia maguanensis - Miocene Redwood from China
Discovery of fossilized remains in the Miocene strata of Yunnan, China, introduced Sequoia maguanensis as a key Asian relative of the modern coast redwood. Described in 2015, this species provides crucial evidence of the historical presence of redwoods in East Asia. The geological context of the fossils suggests a warm, humid environment characterized by high annual precipitation.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ superclass Gymnospermae (Gymnosperms)
- ∟ division Pinophyta
- ∟ subclass Cupressidae
- ∟ order Cupressales (Cypresses and junipers)
- ∟ family Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
- ∟ subfamily Sequoioideae (Sequoias)
- ∟ genus Sequoia (Coast redwood)
- ∟ species Sequoia maguanensis (Maguan sequoia)
Morphology
Fossilized vegetative shoots of Sequoia maguanensis bear leaves that are morphologically similar to the modern coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens. The seed cones are small, containing spirally arranged scales with distinct bract-scale complexes. Detailed cuticular analysis of the fossilized leaves reveals stomatal patterns characteristic of the subfamily Sequoioideae.
Interesting facts
This species was discovered in the Maguan Basin, which has yielded a rich assemblage of Neogene plant fossils. Its presence indicates that the genus Sequoia survived in East Asia much longer than previously assumed before regional climate changes led to its localized extinction. The discovery challenges prior paleogeographic models of conifer migration between North America and Asia.
Geography of distribution
- China
Sources
- Zhang, J.W., et al. (2015): American Journal of Botany publication on Sequoia maguanensis.
- International Fossil Plant Names Index (IFPNI): Database record for Miocene Cupressaceae.
Technical Information
External Databases: GBIF
See also
Bitterwood Tree
Picrasma
A genus of deciduous trees and shrubs known for their extremely bitter bark and medicinal …
Read more →
480
Humboldt Araucaria Pine
Araucaria humboldtensis
A small, critically endangered coniferous tree native strictly to the high-altitude mountain peaks of southern …
Read more →
126
True Araucarias
Araucaria sect. Araucaria
Araucaria sect. Araucaria is a botanical section of evergreen conifers native to South America. It …
Read more →
124