California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Syn. Conif.: 198 (1847))

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: (D.Don) Endl.

Bibliography: Syn. Conif.: 198 (1847)

Year: 1847

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sequoia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Oregon to W. California

Description

The California redwood, scientifically known as Sequoia sempervirens, stands as one of the most majestic and iconic tree species in the world. First classified by (D.Don) Endl. in 1847 and documented in the bibliographic entry Syn. Conif.: 198, this formidable species belongs to the Cupressaceae family.

Renowned for its towering height, the California redwood is an evergreen conifer that is native to the coastal regions of southwestern Oregon and western California. These trees are remarkable for their significant presence in the ancient forests of these areas, where they contribute to the unique biodiversity and overall ecological health of their environment.

California redwoods are characterized by their incredibly tall, straight trunks and a slightly tapered shape that allows them to reach unparalleled heights. Many individuals of this species exceed 300 feet, making them some of the tallest living organisms on Earth. The bark, a distinctive reddish-brown, is thick and fibrous, serving as a protective layer against natural threats such as fire and insect damage. The foliage consists of flat, needle-like leaves arranged in a spiral pattern around the branches, which contribute to the dense canopy of these giant trees.

These magnificent trees thrive in the moist, temperate climate of their native range, where the frequent fog and ample rainfall create ideal conditions for growth. The rich soils and sheltered valleys along the Pacific coast further support the longevity and impressive size of the California redwood.

In addition to their towering presence and ecological importance, California redwoods also hold significant cultural value. They have been revered by indigenous tribes for centuries and continue to attract awe and admiration from nature enthusiasts, scientists, and tourists. Their impressive size and longevity symbolize endurance and the grandeur of nature.

The conservation of these ancient giants is crucial, as their numbers have been greatly reduced due to extensive logging activities in the past. Today, efforts are underway to protect and preserve the remaining California redwood forests, ensuring that these natural wonders can continue to stand tall for generations to come.

Common Names

Eng: california redwood, coast redwood, coastal redwood, humboldt redwood, redwood
Deu: eiben-sequoie, immergrüne sequoie, küsten-sequoie
Hun: fésus óriásfenyo, tengerparti óriásfenyo
Ita: sequoia rosso, sequoia sempreverde, sequoia semperverde
Fra: séquoia sempervirent, séquoia à feuilles d’if, arbre à amadou, séquoia côtier, séquoia toujours vert, séquoia toujours-vert
Swe: amerikansk sekvoja
Spa: corla, secoya
Por: sequóia, sequóia-da-costa, sequóia-vermelha
Rus: секвойя вечнозелёная (sekvojya vechnozeljonaya)
Zho: 北美红杉 (bei mei hong shan)
Cym: cochwydden arfor, cochwydden califfornia
En: California Redwood, Coast Redwood, Coastal Redwood, Humboldt redwood, Redwood, Californian Redwood, Sequoia
Zh: 北美红杉 (bei mei hong shan)
Fr: Séquoia sempervirent, Séquoia à feuilles d’If, Arbre à amadou, Séquoia côtier, Séquoia toujours vert, Séquoia toujours-vert, Séquoia Redwood
De: Eiben-sequoie, Immergrüne Sequoie, Küsten-sequoie, Kalifornisches Rotholz, Küstenmammutbaum, Küstensequoie
Hu: Fésus óriásfenyo, Tengerparti óriásfenyo
It: Sequoia rosso, Sequoia sempreverde, Sequoia semperverde, Albero rosso, Sequoia di Cali
Pt: Sequóia, Sequóia-da-costa, Sequóia-vermelha
Ru: Секвойя вечнозелёная (sekvojya vechnozeljonaya)
Es: Corla, Secoya, Secoya de California, Secoya roja
Sv: Amerikansk sekvoja
Cy: Cochwydden Arfor, Cochwydden Califfornia

Synonyms

• Sequoia pyramidata (Carrière)
• Taxodium sempervirens (D.Don)
• Gigantabies taxifolia (J.Nelson)
• Steinhauera sempervirens ((D.Don) Voss)
• Taxodium nutkaense (Lamb. ex Endl.)
• Schubertia sempervirens ((Lamb.) Spach)
• Sequoia sempervirens var. nana-pendula (Hornibr.)
• Sequoia sempervirens f. glauca ((R.Sm.) Rehder)
• Condylocarpus sempervirens (Salisb. ex Carrière)
• Sequoia sempervirens f. pendula ((Rovelli) Rehder)
• Sequoia sempervirens var. pendula ((Rovelli) C.K.Schneid.)
• Sequoia sempervirens pendula (Rovelli)
• Sequoia sempervirens var. adpressa (Carrière)
• Sequoia religiosa (C.Presl)
• Sequoia taxifolia (K.Koch)
• Sequoia sempervirens var. glauca (R.Sm.)
• Sequoia sempervirens f. adpressa ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Sequoia sempervirens var. albospica (G.Nicholson)

Distribution

• California (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Baleares (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Dimitri Zago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2019 by Rmi Lefte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Claudio Catapano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2019 by Rmi Lefte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Matilde ceretti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Pietro Uggeri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2021 by V Stewart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by Celine Aubin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 21, 2021 by GILLES BONNET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Verónica Rodríguez Vicente (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by Ianto Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2020 by kokoss kokoss (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Claudio Catapano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by Sora Volker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2020 by P Ignacio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Caroline Pilke (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by González Barri Xavi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Елена н (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Jacques Fortin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Riccardo Perina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by despvosk (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2683909)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:263741-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Description: “”

Sowing: “”

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 5.0