Sciadopitys
(from skyas, a parasol, and pitys, a Fir-tree; referring to the spreading whorls of leaves). ORD. Coniferae. A monotypic genus. The species is a tall, but very slow-growing, hardy, evergreen tree. It thrives in rich, moist loam, and may be propagated by imported seeds. Now and then, seeds are ripened in this country.
S. verticillata (whorled).* Parasol Fir. fl. monoecious; male catkins terminal, somewhat globular; females solitary, growing from amongst the scaly buds. cones elliptic-cylindrical, 2 1/2in. long, 1 1/2in. in diameter. l. long, linear and somewhat falcate, smooth, entire, alternate, without any footstalks, tapering to an obtuse point, concave and ribbed on the under side, in close tufts of from thirty to forty at the ends of the shoots, forming a sort of whorl in the form of an extended parasol. Branches alternate or in whorls. Stem straight. h. 80ft. to 120ft. Japan, 1861. (G. C. 1861, p. 360, 1862, p. 23, 1872, p. 1526; G. C. n. s., xvii. p. 113, xix. p. 85; S. Z. F. J. 101-2) There are several varieties, in addition to the following: S. v. variegata (variegated). This differs from the type in having some of its leaves of a pale yellow, intermixed in the parasol-like whorls.