This specimen of Cryptomeria japonica grows beside the Systematic Beds.
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar) is a pyramidal-shaped, coniferous species from Japan and China, which grows to 55m. In its native range it is considered to be near threatened due to population fragmentation, unsustainable harvesting practices, climate change and threats from non-native species, though it is also widely cultivated as a forestry tree. It has distinctive, thin, reddish-brown, peeling bark. The slender, dagger-like leaves (needles) spiral around the shoots, and it has both male and female cones. The small, male cones are oval in shape and occur in clusters at the tip of the shoots, while the females are spherical with shield-like scales. It is regarded as fully hardy in the British Isles, though the finest specimens occur in south. A member of the Cupressaceae, C. japonica is the sole species within the genus. It was first introduced to our gardens in 1842 by Fortune while collecting in China for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.