Taiwan incense-cedar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Taiwan Incense-Cedar
• Taiwanese incense-cedar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heyderia formosana
• Libocedrus formosana
• Libocedrus macrolepis var. formosana
• Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae. Within the order Pinales, it is classified under the family Cupressaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Calocedrus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is a specialized species found within the specific geographic boundaries of Eastern Asia. Its natural habitat is strictly limited to the island of Taiwan. Within this region, it typically thrives in high-altitude montane environments. Because of this narrow range, the species is considered an endemic treasure of the Taiwanese landscape. Consequently, its survival is closely tied to the unique ecological conditions found only in this part of the world.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Calocedrus formosana is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte depending on its developmental stage and environmental conditions. As a woody perennial, its life cycle is centered around maintaining its reproductive buds well above the ground level, protected by its persistent stem structure. This phanerophytic growth habit allows the plant to dominate its niche within its native montane habitats, utilizing its elevated stature to access light and endure seasonal climatic variations. Throughout its life history, the plant transitions through various physiological stages that support its long-term survival, relying on its robust, perennial woody framework to sustain its biological processes across multiple growing seasons.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Calocebrus formosana is characterized by its robust growth form as a tree, exhibiting a distinctly woody structure throughout its development. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own physiological processes without reliance on a host. It is a terrestrial species, rooting in the ground rather than growing as an epiphyte. Furthermore, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, functioning instead as a self-supporting woody plant.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Calocedrus formosana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ferrugicadinol, ferrugieudesmol.

Ferrugicadinol

1. Journal of natural products

ferrugieudesmol

1. Journal of natural products