Cryptomeria
(from kryptos, hidden, and meris, part; referring to the structure of all the parts of the flower being hidden). Japan Cedar. ORD. Coniferae. Evergreen trees. Flowers monoecious; male catkins solitary in the axils of the upper leaves. Leaves rigid, linear-falcate, acute, quadrangular, scattered. Cones less than 1in. in diameter, terminal, and solitary; scales loose, cuneate, prickly, with from three to six winged seeds. Cryptomerias are hardy in most parts of this country, but their beauty is only fully developed in deep rich soils, with abundance of moisture, and protection from cutting winds. Propagated by seeds and cuttings, planted in sandy soil, under a handlight. Probably there is only one species (C. japonica) with a fair claim to that title, but several varieties are described as such. C.elegans (elegant).* l. linear, flattened, soft in texture, decurrent at the base, acute, spreading, falcate, channelled both above and beneath. Branches short, horizontal; branchlets pendulous at their extremities. Trunk robust, upright. h. 20ft. and upwards. Japan, 1861. Autumnal colour bronzy-crimson, which is retained throughout the winter. When well-grown, this is a most beautiful tree.
C. e. nana (dwarf), is a low dense bushy shrub, with more crowded leaves than the type; it also retains the autumnal colour, except the pendulous green tips of the branchlets.
C. japonica (Japanese). l. rigid, incurved, crowded, spirally arranged, 6in. to 9in. long, decurrent at the base. cones globular, about 1/2in. in diameter, composed of numerous scales, bearing three to five seeds each. Branches numerous, brittle, and readily separating from the trunk, frondose, spreading; lower ones deflexed, with the extremities ascending; branchlets very numerous, usually alternate, bright green. Trunk erect, tapering. h. 50ft. to 100ft. Japan, 1844. A handsome rapid-growing tree, with an elongated pyramidal outline. There are several varieties, the best of which are described below. Other forms are: araucarioides, nigricans, and variegata. C. j. Lobbi (Lobb's) differs from the type in its more compact and less pendulous habit; foliage of a brighter and deeper green; leaves shorter, and more closely appressed to the branches. Japan. SYN. C. viridis. C. j. nana (dwarf). A small procumbent bushy shrub, very useful for growing on rockwork. h. 2ft. SYN. C. j. pygmaea.
C. j. pygmaea (pigmy). A synonym of C. j. nana.
C. j. spiralis (spiral). A very curious form, having the falcate leaves closely appressed spirally round the branchlets.
C. viridis (green). A synonym of C. japonica Lobbi.