Thujopsis dolabrata

19 Jan

Thujopsis dolabrata (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Cupressaceae

Thujopsis dolabrata is an evergreen small tree with a conical habit. Its glossy, deep green leaves are scale like, have a fleshy texture and up to 3mm long. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1.5m. Its red/ brown bark is thin and peels off in vertical strips. Its blue/ violet monoecious flowers are small, terminal pollen cones. Its fruit are brown seed cones, ovoid, up to 15mm long and 1cm across.

Thujopsis dolabrata, commonly known as Asunaro, Hiba, False Abrovitae or Hiba Abrovitae, is native to Japan. Thujopsis dolabrata is the only member of this genus. It was introduced into the UK in the 1850’s

The etymological root of the binomial name Thujopsis from the tree name Thuja and the Greek opsis meaning ‘like’, i.e. like a Thuja. Dolabrata is derived from the Latin dolabra meaning ‘pick-axe’, in reference to the shape if this tree’s scale like leaves.