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Cathaya (Cathaya argyrophylla), Cone of the Month for February, 2025
Illustrated by Dan Everett
One of the few monotypic genera in the pine family, Cathaya is another ancient species found in southern China. It was often lumped with other pine family genera, most notably Pseudotsuga, a close relative, before earning its own genus. It was first described by botanists in 1955 and was considered nearly as sensational as the dawn redwood, which had been described only a decade earlier. Its cones start out upright and pubescent but become pendulous as they mature.
Fun Fact: “Cathaya” is an old European term that was historically used to refer to China.
Cathaya (Cathaya argyrophylla), Cone of the Month for February, 2025
Illustrated by Dan Everett
One of the few monotypic genera in the pine family, Cathaya is another ancient species found in southern China. It was often lumped with other pine family genera, most notably Pseudotsuga, a close relative, before earning its own genus. It was first described by botanists in 1955 and was considered nearly as sensational as the dawn redwood, which had been described only a decade earlier. Its cones start out upright and pubescent but become pendulous as they mature.
Fun Fact: “Cathaya” is an old European term that was historically used to refer to China.