Question

What are some of the distinctive traits (branching, leaf type, etc.) of each species?

a. Pinus canariensis:

b. Podocarpus henkelii:

c. Sequoia sempervirens:

d. Pinus monophylla:

e. Juniperus californica:

f. Araucaria heterophylla:

g. Agathis robusta:

h.Ephedra fasciculata:

i.Taxodium distichum:

j. Hesperocyparis forbesii:

Answer 1

Ans .(a) Pinus canariensis:-

It is a species of gymnosperm in the conifer family Pinaceae.It is large, evergreen tree native and endemic to outer canary islands in the Atlantic ocean. The green to yellow-green leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, with finely toothed margins and often drooping.

It has straight stem and a usually open crown of regular, candelabra- like unswept branches.

(b) Podocarpus henklii :-

It is an evergreen tree with a very densely branched, conical crown. The leaves are simple, flattened and may be sessile or short petiolate.

Male Podocarpus henklii cones are erect , pink, and are solitary or in clusters of upto 5.Female cones are solitary, but shortly stalked.

(c) Sequoia sempervirens :-

It is the sole living species of genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupresseceae. It is evergreen , long-lived ,monoecious tree. It has conical crown , with horizontal to slightly drooping branches. Leaf arrangement is spiral, but the larger shade leaves are twisted at the base to lie in a flat plane for maximum light capture.

(d) Pinus monophylla:-

It is conifer, evergreen tree, often multistemmed, upswept branches, rounded or flat crown.The leaves(needles) are uniquely for spine, usually single fascicle.

(e) Juniperus californica :-

It is a shrub or small tree. The leaves are arranged in opposite decussate pairs or whorls of three. The tree has bluish-grey foliage.

(f) Araucaria heterophylla :-

It is a slow growing tree , with vertical trunks and symmetrical branches. The young leaves are soft, awl-shaped.The thickest , scale-like leaves on coning branches are in the upper crown.

(g) Agathis robusta :-

It is a large,evergreen tree growing straight and tall to a height of 30 - 50m , with smooth,scaly bark. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the stem.

(h) Ephedra fasciculata :-

These plants have photosunthetic smooth green-yellow branches that are adjoined to a stem with cracked and grooved grey bark. Arrangement of leaves are opposite.

(i) Taxodium distichum :-

It is a large , slow - growing, and long-lived tree.The needle-like leaves are long, simple, alternate, green and linear.

(j) Hesperocyparis forbesii :-

Their branches ascends on young trees ; can occur in dense stands reaching 3-6ft. The foliate ranges from light green to green and seed cones are dark brown.