![]() The samples were determined to belong to a tree yet unknown to science, but World War II postponed further study. In 1943, Wang Zhan (Chan Wang, 1911–2000) of the National Bureau of Forest Research, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Chongqing, collected samples from an unidentified tree in the village of Moudao ( 谋道 镇 formerly Motaochi, Maodaoqi or Modaoxi) in Lichuan County, Hubei province-now believed to be the same tree Kan discovered. This tree formed part of a local shrine, where villagers called it Shuǐshān 水杉 or "water fir". Unfortunately, while he collected some plant material, he did not attempt to identify or publish his findings. Though unaware of Miki's new genus, he recognized the unique traits of the tree. In the same year, Kan Duo (Toh Kan, 1903–1961), professor of Forest Management, National Central University, Chongqing, (formerly Chungking) observed an enormous living specimen while performing a survey in Sichuan and Hubei provinces. He realized he had discovered a new genus, which he named Metasequoia, meaning "like a sequoia". Shigeru Miki from Kyoto University identified a divergent leaf form. ![]() While studying fossil samples of the family Cupressaceae, Dr. When the genus Metasequoia was first described in 1941, it was from Mesozoic Era fossils, none of which were less than 150 million years old. History Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) bonsai treeĪlthough it was commonly known from the fossil record from across the northern hemisphere, the dawn redwood was considered extinct until the mid-twentieth century. If the species wasn't discovered when it was, it might have become extinct before being investigated. The tree faces considerable risks of extinction in its wild range due to deforestation however, it has been planted extensively in arboreta worldwide, where it has proved a popular and fast-growing ornamental plant. It is a well-known example of a living fossil species. In 1941, the genus Metasequoia was reported by paleobotanist Shigeru Miki as a widely distributed extinct genus based on fossils, before attracting considerable attention a few years later when small populations were found alive in central China. Although the shortest of the redwoods, it can grow to 167 ft (51 m) in height. It now survives in the wild only in wet lower slopes and montane river and stream valleys in the border region of Hubei and Hunan provinces and Chongqing municipality in south-central China, notably in Lichuan county in Hubei. It is the sole living species of the genus Metasequoia, one of three genera in the subfamily Sequoioideae of the family Cupressaceae. Specific epithet means resembling the genus Glyptostrobus.Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the dawn redwood, is a fast-growing, endangered deciduous conifer. Genus name comes from the Greek words metra meaning with, after, sharing, or changed in nature and Sequoia to which it is related and to which fossil specimens were first referred. The twigs, needles and cone scales are in opposite pairs. Trees are monoecious, producing oval, light brown female cones (3/4” long) and pendant globose male cones (1/2” long). Foliage emerges light green in spring, matures to deep green in summer and turns red-bronze in fall. ![]() It features linear, feathery, fern-like foliage that is soft to the touch. Bark on mature trees is often deeply fissured. As the tree matures, the trunk broadens at the base and develops attractive and sometimes elaborate fluting. Seedlings grown therefrom were planted in front of the Lehmann Building at MBG in 1952 where they have now developed into large mature trees (70’+ tall). Seeds collected from the original site were made available to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1947. However, it was not until 1941 that it was first discovered growing in the wild near the town of Modaoqi, China by Chinese forester, T. From fossil records, dawn redwood is known to have existed as many as 50,000,000 years ago. It is related to and closely resembles bald cypress ( Taxodium) and redwood ( Sequoia). Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly called dawn redwood, is a deciduous, coniferous tree that grows in a conical shape to 100’ tall.
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