Lohansong (scientific name: Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don), also known as Tai杉, is a coniferous evergreen tree in the Podocarpaceae family and Lohansong genus, reaching up to 20 meters in height and 60 cm in diameter at breast height; the bark is gray or gray-brown, slightly longitudinally cracked, and peels off in thin scales. Branches are spreading or obliquely spreading, dense. Leaves are spirally arranged, linear-lanceolate, slightly curved. Male cones are spike-like, axillary, with several triangular bracts at the base; female cones are solitary in leaf axils, with a peduncle and a few bracts at the base. Seeds are oval, with a rounded apex, the ripe fruit flesh is purple-black with a white powder, and the seed cup is a fleshy cylindrical shape, red or purple-red. Flowering period is from April to May, and seeds mature from August to September.
Lohansong is distributed across multiple provinces in China and also in Japan. The material is fine and even, easy to process, and can be used for furniture, utensils, stationery, and agricultural tools, etc.
Lohasun pine, an evergreen tree, can reach up to 20 meters in height and a trunk diameter of 60 cm; the bark is gray or gray-brown, with shallow longitudinal cracks and peels off in thin sheets; branches spread or slant, rather dense.
The leaves are spirally arranged, linear-lanceolate, slightly curved, measuring 7-12cm in length and 7-10mm in width. The apex is acute, the base cuneate. The upper surface is deep green with a glossy finish, featuring a prominent midrib. The lower surface is white, gray-green, or pale green, with a slightly raised midrib.
Male cones are paniculate, axillary, usually in 3-5 fascicles on very short rachises, 3-5 cm long, with several triangular bracts at the base; female cones are solitary in leaf axils, with a peduncle, and a few bracts at the base.
The seeds are oval, measuring about 1cm in diameter, with a rounded apex. Upon ripening, the aril becomes purple-black, powdery, and the seed capsule is fleshy, cylindrical, red or purplish-red, with a stalk length of 1-1.5cm.
Bloom period: April to May; seeds mature in August to September.
