Species: Juniperus chinensis

English Name: Chinese Juniper

Chinese Name: 圓柏

Family: Cupressaceae

Description:

It’s a Juniper that grows as a shrub or tree (in this case a tree) 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.

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References:

– ... Read more »

Species: Chamaecyparis obtusa

English Name: Golden Hinoki Cypress

Chinese Name: 黃金柏、鳳尾柏

Family: Cupressaceae

Description:

Species of cypress native to Japan. Grows up to 35m tall and has a trunk up to 1m in diameter.

The quality of its timber allows it to be used for building palaces, temples, shrines etc. Used as an ornamental tree or bonsai. Its pollen is a major cause of hay fever in Japan.

Its essential oils are used as anti-inflamatory medicine and for hair growth.

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References:

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

Species: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

English Name: Lawson False Cypress

Chinese Name: 羅氏柏、美國扁柏

Family: Cupressaceae

Description:

Its a species of confer native to Oregon and California. It’s large, growing up to 60m tall with a trunk with 1,2-2m in diameter.

The wood is light and rot resistant, used in Japan for the manufacture of coffins, shrines and temples. Its lumber is known for its highly fragrant ginger aroma.

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References:

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

Species: Taxodium ascendens

English Name: Pond Cypress

Chinese Name: 池杉

Family: Taxodiaceae

Description:

Taxodium ascendens occurs naturally in shallow ponds, lake margins, swamps and wetlands. It prefers wet, poorly drained and acidic soils, at an altitude of 0–30 metres (0–98 ft) above sea level.

Pond Cypresses growing in water have a characteristic growth trait called cypress knees; these are woody projections pneumatophores sent above the water from the roots, probably enabling this plant to breathe air in habitat with waterlogged soil. Reaches up to 18m of height.

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References:

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Species: Pinus elliottii

English Name:  Slash Pine

Chinese Name: 濕地松、愛氏松

Family: Pinaceae

Description:

It is fast-growing, but not very long-lived by pine standards (to 200 years), and prefers humid climates and moist soils. Slash pine is named after the “slashes” – swampy ground overgrown with trees and bushes – that constitute its habitat. This tree reaches heights of 18–30 m (59–98 ft) with a trunk diameter of 0.6–0.8 m (2.0–2.6 ft).

Its wood is used for construction and rail road ties. Turpin hydrate, the main synthetic product of turpentine is used as an expectorant for humans and serves as a bronchitis treatment used in animal clinics.

Species: Araucaria heterophylla

English Name:  Norfolk Island Pine

Chinese Name: 異葉南洋杉

Family: Araucariaceae

Description:
The trees grow to a height of 50–65 m, with straight vertical trunks and symmetrical branches, even in the face of incessant onshore winds that can contort most other species. The scientific name heterophylla (“different leaves”) derives from the variation in the leaves between young and adult plants.

Used as a house plant and sometimes as a Christmas Tree. Resin isolated from stem exudates showed anti-ulcerogenic functions, and also cytotoxic activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines.

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Species: Araucaria cunninghamii

English Name:  Hoop Pine

Chinese Name: 南洋杉、花旗杉

Family: Araucariaceae

Description:

The trees can live up to 450 years and grow to a height of 60 metres. The bark is rough, splits naturally, and peels easily.

The wood is a high quality timber that is particularly important to the plywood industry and also used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats.

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... Read more »