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Fitzroya - (Molina.)I.M.Johnst.

Common Name Alerce, Patagonian cypress
Family Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Usually found in boggy ground up to 800 metres, though it is also found at higher and cooler altitudes that have high atmospheric humidity, it is then usually associated with Nothofagus dombeyi.
Range S. America - Chile, Argentina.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Fitzroya Alerce, Patagonian cypress


Fitzroya Alerce, Patagonian cypress
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lin_linao

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Fitzroya is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

F. patagonica. Pinus cupressoides.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for caulking boats[139]. Wood - light, very durable, immune to insect attacks, of excellent quality. It is used for construction, carpentry, musical instruments etc[46, 61, 139].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

This species dislikes soils that dry out rapidly, preferring an acid soil with a pH around 5[200]. It grows best in humid conditions, especially on north facing slopes or in the shelter of a woodland edge[200]. It dislikes cold drying winds[200]. A very ornamental tree[1], it is much hardier in Britain than was once thought[11]. Generally a very slow growing tree in Britain but young plants can grow 30cm a year and growth can continue until October[185]. A very slow growing and long-lived tree in its native habitat[139, 200], probably to 3000 years or more, but trees are unlikely to survive that long in Britain[200]. Plants grow best in the mild and damp maritime climate of south-west and west Britain[185, 200]. Plants can be monoecious or dioecious, though they are more often dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is to be produced, though there is a report that trees rarely produce fertile seed in Britain[200]..

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once they have reached a height of at least 30cm, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[200]. Cuttings, August, in a sandy soil in a frame[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Fitzroya cupressoidesAlerce, Patagonian cypressTree10.0 7-10 SLMHSNM002

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Molina.)I.M.Johnst.

Botanical References

11139200

Links / References

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