''Calocedrus rupestris'' is a species of

conifer Conifers are a group of cone-bearing seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single extant class, Pinopsida. All ex ...

recently discovered in highly eroded rocky limestone mountains in northern

Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making it ...

and first described in 2004.Averyanov L., Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, Pham Van. The distribution, ecology and habitats of ''Calocedrus rupestris'' (Cupressaceae) in Vietnam. Turczaninowia 2005, 8(4): 19-35 It also occurs in China. ''Calocedrus rupestris'' is a medium-sized tree growing up to about 25 meters tall, with a trunk up to 1.2 meters in diameter. Many of the specimens observed in the wild were estimated to be some 600 to 800 years old, on the basis of preliminary year-ring observations. It occurs together with other lime-adapted species in highly endemic

relict A relict is a surviving remnant of a natural phenomenon. Biology A relict (or relic) is an organism that at an earlier time was abundant in a large area but now occurs at only one or a few small areas. Geology and geomorphology In geology, a r ...

coniferous forest. However, the ecological region extends from Vietnam into Laos and China. These limestone-based coniferous forests are both vulnerable and threatened, and although a reserve has been established, this species is listed as an endangered species.

References

rupestris Flora of Vietnam Flora of China Plants described in 2004 {{conifer-stub