Conifers and Taxads 



Pine with drooping blue-green tassels of flexible leaves. P. Jeffreyi grows 

 up to 100 ft. high in California and flourishes in light soil. P. parviflora, 

 25-40 ft. high in Japan, is distinct in appearance. P. ponderosa attains 

 a height of 300 ft. in California. The Scots Fir (P. sylvestris), 50-100 ft. 

 high, is well known by its rugged reddish bark and dense heads of blue- 

 green foliage; and the Wey mouth Pine (P. Strobus), from North America, 

 80-170 ft. high in a wild state. The species mentioned are all valuable 

 timber trees. There are several others not so largely grown. 



Podoearpus andina (Prumnopitys elegans). A beautiful Chilian 

 Taxad, 50-60 ft. high, pyramidal 

 in habit, with glossy- green leaves, 

 whitish beneath, and grape-like 

 fruits. 



Pseudotsugfa (Abies, Picea) 

 Douglasi (DOUGLAS FIR). This 

 valuable timber tree, which at- 

 tains a height of 300 ft. in 

 North America, grows quickly, 

 and is raised in thousands from 

 seeds. There are varieties known 

 as glauca, pendula, taxifolia, 

 Standishi, plumosa, &c. 



Retinospora. Although 

 really forms of Cupressus, the 

 Retinosporas are so distinct in 

 appearance and habit that they 

 are kept separate for business 

 purposes. A great trade is done 

 in varieties of the Japanese (7. 

 obtusa, some of the best-known 

 forms being albo-picta, aurea, 

 compacta, filicoides, gracilis 

 aurea, lycopodioides, nana, and plumosa names which convey an idea 

 as to habit or appearance and colour. There are several forms of the 

 feathery plumosa, such as albo-picta, argentea, aurea, &c. -R. pisifera 

 is another elegant variety of obtusa, more graceful and slender in appear- 

 ance. There are many forms of it, including fill/era (fig. 452), /. aurea, 

 and squarrosa. The plant known as leptoclada is probably a form of 

 Cupressus thyoides (R. ericoides), and has a nice pyramidal habit. Amongst 

 other varieties of obtusa are Crippsi, a fine golden one, with dwarf and 

 slender forms. 



Saxeg*othea conspicua (PRINCE ALBERT'S YEW). A handsome Yew- 

 like Taxad from the Chilian and Patagonian mountains, where it grows 

 30 ft. high. It has a graceful and drooping habit, and is becoming better 

 known. 



Sciadopitys verticillata (UMBRELLA or PARASOL PINE). A beautiful 



Fig. 452. Retinospora filifera 



