Species:  Guetum lofuense 

English Name: Luofushan Joint-fir

Chinese Name: 羅浮買麻藤

Family: Gnetaceae

Description:

Unlike other gymnosperms  they possess vessel elements (water conducting tissue) in the xylem. The fruits are born in brunches, and age from green to red when ripe, which can look almost like grapes.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author

Species:  Zamia furfuracea

English Name: Cardboard cycad 

Chinese Name: 鱗秕澤米蘇鐵

Family: Zamiaceae

Description:

Trunk is short up to 20 cm broad and high.

All parts of the plant are poisonous to animals and humans. The toxicity causes liver and kidney failure as well as eventually paralysis.

Commercial source of starch.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author

Species: Cycas taiwaniana

English Name: Guangdong Cycas

Chinese Name: 廣東蘇鐵

Family: Cycadaceae

Description:

Native to Guandong, Guanxi and Fujian in China.

Stems up to 3,5m tall, 25-30 cm of diameter.

Considered endangered.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author

Species: Podocarpus macrophyllus

English Name: Short-leaved Buddhist Pine

Chinese Name: 短葉羅漢松

Family: Podocarpaceae

Description:

The north most species of the genus. Also known as “Kusamaki conifer”. Can reach up to 20 m tall.

The ripe cones arils are edible, though the seed should not be eaten. Because of its resistance to termites and water it is use for quality wooden houses in Japan. Also used ad a feng shui tree.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative... Read more »

Species: Podocarpus macrophyllus 

English Name: Buddhist Pine

Chinese Name: 羅漢松

Family: Podocarpaceae

Description:

The north most species of the genus. Also known as “Kusamaki conifer”. Can reach up to 20 m tall.

The ripe cones arils are edible, though the seed should not be eaten. Because of its resistance to termites and water it is use for quality wooden houses in Japan. Also used ad a feng shui tree.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region,... Read more »

Species: Nageia nagi

English Name: Nagai Podocarpus

Chinese Name: 竹柏

Family: Podocarpaceae

Description:

Also known as Asian Bayberry. Average height 15-20cm, slow growing.

Its wood is used to build houses, utensils, bridges and furniture. Its seeds yield an edible oil, very valuable in oil industry.

Near threatened.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author

Species: Platycladus Orientallis

English Name: Chinese Arborvitae

Chinese Name: 側柏

Family: Cupressaceae

Description:

Evergreen coniferous tree, growing from 3 up to 61 m. With a stringy – texture reddish – brown bark.

The wood is used in Buddhist temples, both for construction work and chipped for incense burning.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science 2005. Flora of Macao (Volume 1). Macao, SAR: Author

Species: Juniperus chinensis

English Name: Dragon Juniper

Chinese Name: 龍柏

Family: Cupressaceae

Description:

It’s a Juniper that grows as a shrub or tree (in this case a shrub) with a variable shape, reaching up to 20m tall. It’s a coniferous evergreen shrub.

It is widely used as a bonsai. Studies have shown that it has anti metastatic properties, and anti-obesity effects. Its leaves contain volatile oil. One particular study showed that this plant may have anti-cancer, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects.

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

–  Department of Gardens and Green Areas,... Read more »