Japanese red-cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 18: 167 (1839))

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: (Thunb. ex L.f.) D.Don

Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. London 18: 167 (1839)

Year: 1839

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cryptomeria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: C. & S. Japan

Description

The Japanese red-cedar, scientifically named Cryptomeria japonica, is a towering, evergreen tree that holds significant cultural and environmental importance in its native regions of central and southern Japan. This majestic species was first described in the scientific literature in 1839, specifically in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, through the contributions of Thunberg and subsequently Linnaeus the Younger, with D. Don documenting these findings.

Belonging to the family Cupressaceae, the Japanese red-cedar is known for its impressive height, often reaching up to 70 meters (230 feet) with a trunk diameter that can exceed 4 meters (13 feet). The tree’s bark is a distinguishing feature, showcasing a striking reddish-brown hue that peels away in long strips, hence the common name.

The foliage of Cryptomeria japonica is equally remarkable, characterized by dense, needle-like leaves that spiral around the shoots. These leaves maintain a rich, vibrant green throughout the year, contributing to the tree’s evergreen nature and making it a popular choice for ornamental use in gardens and parks.

In its natural habitat, the Japanese red-cedar thrives in mountainous regions where it forms vast, almost impenetrable forests. The wood of Cryptomeria japonica is highly valued for its lightweight yet durable properties, making it a favored material in the construction of traditional Japanese buildings and temples, as well as in furniture and other carpentry.

Beyond its practical uses, the Japanese red-cedar holds a place of reverence in Japanese culture and history. It is often planted around shrines and temples, symbolizing strength, longevity, and resilience. The tree’s presence in cultural and ceremonial contexts underscores its deep connection to Japanese heritage.

In recent years, Cryptomeria japonica has also garnered attention outside Japan, with its introduction to other parts of the world as an ornamental tree. Its aesthetic appeal and adaptability to a variety of soil types have made it a popular choice in landscaping and urban greenery projects.

Overall, the Japanese red-cedar is a species that embodies both the natural beauty and rich cultural traditions of Japan. Its enduring presence in both the natural landscape and human history highlights the importance of preserving and understanding this remarkable tree.

Common Names

Ita: crittomeria del giappone, crittomeria
Eng: japanese red-cedar, japanese cedar, japanese-cedar, cryptomeria
Dan: japangran, japansk kryptomeria, kryptomeria
Deu: japanische sicheltanne, japanische zeder, sugizeder
Nld: japanse cipres, sikkelcipres
Hun: japán szugifenyo, japánciprus
Por: araucária-do-japão, cedrinho-japonês, cedro-japonês, pinheiro-do-japão, árvore-de-natal
Spa: cedro japonés, criptoméria
Fra: cryptomérie du japon
Swe: kryptomeria
Ces: kryptomerie japonská
Slk: kryptoméria japonská
Rus: криптомерия японская (kriptomeriya yaponskaya)
Zho: 日本柳杉 (ri ben liu shan), 柳杉 (liu shan)
Nob: japanseder, skjermgran
Nno: japanseder
Cym: cedrwydden goch japan, cochwydden japan
Jpn: sugi
En: Japanese Red-cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese-cedar, Cryptomeria
Zh: 日本柳杉 (ri ben liu shan), 柳杉 (liu shan)
Cs: Kryptomerie japonská
Da: Japangran, Japansk kryptomeria, Kryptomeria
Nl: Japanse cipres, Sikkelcipres
Fr: Cryptomérie du Japon
De: Japanische Sicheltanne, Japanische Zeder, Sugizeder
Hu: Japán szugifenyo, Japánciprus
It: Crittomeria del Giappone, Crittomeria
Ja: Sugi
Nb: Japanseder, Skjermgran
Nn: Japanseder
Pt: Araucária-do-japão, Cedrinho-japonês, Cedro-japonês, Pinheiro-do-japão, Árvore-de-natal
Ru: Криптомерия японская (kriptomeriya yaponskaya)
Sk: Kryptoméria japonská
Es: Cedro japonés, Criptoméria
Sv: Kryptomeria
Cy: Cedrwydden Goch Japan, Cochwydden Japan

Synonyms

• Cryptomeria araucarioides (Henkel & W.Hochst.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. araucarioides ((Henkel & W.Hochst.) Jacob-Makoy)
• Cryptomeria japonica variegata-argentea (Jacob-Makoy)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. fortunei ((Hooibr. ex Billain) A.Henry)
• Cryptomeria compacta (Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. pendulata (Bronsart)
• Cryptomeria japonica subsp. sinensis ((Miq.) P.D.Sell)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. lobbii ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Cupressus japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. pungens ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. compacta ((Jacob-Makoy) Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. caespitosa (Makino)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. araucarioides ((Henkel & W.Hochst.) Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. lobbii (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. dacrydioides ((Carrière) Rehder)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. spiralis ((Miq.) Rehder)
• Cryptomeria mairei ((H.Lév.) Nakai)
• Cryptomeria lycopodioides (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. radicans (Nakai)
• Schubertia japonica ((Thunb. ex L.f.) Jacques)
• Cupressus mairei (H.Lév.)
• Cryptomeria variegata (Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. spiralis (Miq.)
• Cryptomeria pungens (Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. pendula (Leroy ex Dallim. & A.B.Jacks.)
• Cryptomeria nigricans (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria mucronata (Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica spiralites-falcata (Jacob-Makoy)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. nana ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria generalis (E.H.L.Krause)
• Cryptomeria lobbii ((Carrière) Lavallée)
• Cryptomeria viridis (Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria kawaii (Hayata)
• Cryptomeria japonica f. elegans ((J.J.Veitch) Beissn.)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. compacta (Jacob-Makoy)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. pungens (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. nana (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria nana (Lindl. & Gordon)
• Cryptomeria lobbiana (Billain)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. elegans-variegata (Van Geert)
• Cryptomeria elegans (J.J.Veitch)
• Cryptomeria fortunei (Hooibr. ex Billain)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. dacrydioides (Carrière)
• Cryptomeria japonica var. sinensis (Miq.)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Mar 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 1, 1989 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 1, 1995 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Зобенко Андрей (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Зобенко Андрей (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 16, 2020 by Filippo Ceragioli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2021 by Reinhard Hampel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by malot w (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Muhammad IDRIS (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Galut Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2019 by jacopobombieri jacopobombieri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2020 by xie laura (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 18, 2021 by ludovic Caplain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2016 by Dystopia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Giuseppe Borgonovi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by Зобенко Андрей (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2020 by Laurence Rougier (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Dominig Guyon Dallemagne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by Fernández Juan David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by tinclan (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 13, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5284237)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:261870-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D.Don)

Specifications

Growth