Taxodiaceae

Taxodiaceae is a formerly recognized conifer family. It is today recognised as a paraphyletic grade of basal lineages within the Cupressaceae. It contains the following living genera:

• Athrotaxis
• Cryptomeria
• Cunninghamia
• Glyptostrobus
• Metasequoia
• Sequoia
• Sequoiadendron
• Taiwania
• Taxodium

As proposed, genera of the former Taxodiaceae are grouped in the following subfamilies within the larger Cupressaceae:

• Athrotaxidoideae Quinn (Athrotaxis)
• Cunninghamioideae (Sieb. & Zucc.) Quinn (Cunninghamia)
• Sequoioideae (Luerss.) Quinn (Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, and Metasequoia)
• Taiwanioideae (Hayata) Quinn (Taiwania)
• Taxodioideae Endl. ex K. Koch (Taxodium, Glyptostrobus, and Cryptomeria)[1]

Evolution

Fossil leave of Taxodium dubium, 8 Mio. years old, Hambach lignite open cast mine, Germany

In earth's history Taxodiaceae were widespread. They are known since the Jurassic and can be found as fossil from Tertiary times.

See also

• Taxodioideae

External links

• Gymnosperm Database - Cupressaceae
• Gymnosperm Database - Sciadopityaceae