Widdringtonia
(named in honour of Captain Widdrington [formerly Cook], who traveled in Spain). African Cypress. ORD. Coniferae. A small genus (three species) of greenhouse shrubs or trees, included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Callitris; two are natives of South Africa, and the third is found in Madagascar. Flowers dioecious, or male and female on separate plants; male catkins oblong or cylindrical, the females globular, without footstalks. Leaves thickly set, alternately or in whorls, linear or needle-shaped, spreading, but sometimes very small, scale-like, approaching imbricate, with a gland on the back. Cones thick, woody, nearly equally four-valved, globular, two or three together. Two species have been introduced. For culture, see Callitris.
W. cupressoides (Cypress-like). l. on the branches acute, somewhat spreading at the points; those on the branchlets four-rowed, much shorter, imbricated. cones ovate, obtuse, nine to ten lines long. Branches elongated, erect, pyramidal; branchlets slender, bent downwards, or pendent at the ends, covered with leaves. h. 4ft. to 10ft. South Africa, 1799. Shrub. W. juniperoides (Juniper-like). Cape Gum-tree. fl., male catkins oblong-cylindrical, terminal. l. adherent at base, decurrent, leathery, glaucous-green; young ones mostly linear or needle-shaped, sharp-pointed, spreading, slightly curved, opposite or in whorls of three, 3/4in. to 1in. long; adults scattered; those on the branchlets sometimes ovate-lanceolate or rhomboid, obtuse or sharp-pointed. cones three or four together, much smaller than in W. cupressoides, rounded, slightly depressed. Stem straight; branches erect or spreading. South Africa, 1756. Tree.