Libocedrus

Libocedrus is a genus of five species of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to New Zealand and New Caledonia.^[1] The genus is closely related to the South American genera Pilgerodendron and Austrocedrus, and the New Guinean genus Papuacedrus, both of which are included within Libocedrus by some botanists. These genera are rather similar to the Northern Hemisphere genera Calocedrus and Thuja: in earlier days, what is now Calocedrus was sometimes included in Libocedrus. They are much less closely related, as recently confirmed (Gadek et al. 2000). The generic name means "teardrop cedar", apparently referring to drops of resin.

Libocedrus
Libocedrus plumosa, Kawaka, New Zealand
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Cupressales
Family:	Cupressaceae
Subfamily:	Callitroideae
Genus:	Libocedrus Endl.
Type species
Libocedrus doniana
Natural range of Libocedrus
Synonyms[1]
Stegocedrus Doweld

The leaves are scale-like, 3–7 mm long, in apparent whorls of four (actually opposite decussate pairs, but not evenly spaced apart, instead with the successive pairs closely then distantly spaced). The cones are 8–20 mm long, and have just 2 pairs of moderately thin, erect scales, each scale with a distinct spine 3–7 mm long on the outer face, and bearing two winged seeds on the inner face.

Species

The species recognized in the genus are:^[1]

Phylogeny of Libocedrus[2][3]

L. bidwillii L. plumosa L. yateensis L. austrocaledonicus L. chevalieri

Image	Scientific name	Distribution
	Libocedrus austrocaledonica Brongn. & Gris	New Caledonia
	Libocedrus bidwillii Hook.f.	North + South Islands of New Zealand
	Libocedrus chevalieri J.Buchholz	Poindimié, Mt. Humboldt, + Mt. Kouakoué in New Caledonia
	Libocedrus plumosa (D.Don) Druce	North + South Islands of New Zealand
	Libocedrus yateensis Guillaumin	Povila, Bleue-Yaté river, + Ouinné river in New Caledonia

The two New Zealand species, known individually by their Māori names kawaka (Libocedrus plumosa) and pāhautea (Libocedrus bidwillii), are sometimes called New Zealand cedars. No common names have been recorded for the three New Caledonian species.^{[citation needed]}

Uses

The wood of Libocedrus is soft, moderately decay-resistant, and with a spicy-resinous fragrance. The two New Zealand species are also grown as ornamental plants.