Common Name: Katsura
Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Angiosperm. The seed is surrounded by an ovule.
Brief Description:
Tall and leafy, the katsura tree is great for shade and appealing to eyes. Its heart-shaped leaves spread out like a fan a smell of caramel. This tree is most impressive in the fall months due its attractive reddish-orange foliage. The katsura is native to east Asia well-renowned for its' aesthetic beauty, its' timber uses, and its' unique genetic makeup that allows it to survive harsh cold conditions.
Scientific Name: Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Angiosperm. The seed is surrounded by an ovule.
Brief Description:
Tall and leafy, the katsura tree is great for shade and appealing to eyes. Its heart-shaped leaves spread out like a fan a smell of caramel. This tree is most impressive in the fall months due its attractive reddish-orange foliage. The katsura is native to east Asia well-renowned for its' aesthetic beauty, its' timber uses, and its' unique genetic makeup that allows it to survive harsh cold conditions.
Ethnobotany
The Katsura tree is mostly used in the United States as an ornamental tree commonly grown in residential areas and parks providing shade and also adding to the appeal and aesthetics of any town because of its' alluring fall foliage. Also, in other countries, for example Britain, the Katsura is mainly used for its ornamental value completing all sort of botanical gardens with its exotic features. However, the Katsura is very sensitive to frost and drought so the weather condition of some countries make it hard for it to stretch taller than 14 meters.
On the other hand, in Japan and other Asian countries, since the Katsura tree grows more frequently, it is a "valuable source of timber... its fine-grained soft wood is used for cabinet making and paneling" (JATAN 1987). Its light timber good for furniture and other interior woodwork. Covering the low land forests of Japan the Katsura tree is detrimental to the japanese timber supply.
Japan is the world's largest importer of timber and paper products. They import large amounts of wood, pulp, and paper to many countries including the United States. Since forest covers "66% of the land", Japan has an abundant amount of timber resources to import and domestically use. The Katsura tree is amongst these trees used to supply timber used in countries all over the world (JATAN 1987).
In more modern studies of the katsura tree, scientists are studying the genetic make-up of the katsuras' xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) that undergo supercooling and can survive sub-freezing temperatures without actually dying (Wang). See bark section for more details. Basically, the scientists are trying to genetically modify other plants to have these traits of the katsura so that they too can survive sub-freezing temperatures.
The Katsura tree is mostly used in the United States as an ornamental tree commonly grown in residential areas and parks providing shade and also adding to the appeal and aesthetics of any town because of its' alluring fall foliage. Also, in other countries, for example Britain, the Katsura is mainly used for its ornamental value completing all sort of botanical gardens with its exotic features. However, the Katsura is very sensitive to frost and drought so the weather condition of some countries make it hard for it to stretch taller than 14 meters.
On the other hand, in Japan and other Asian countries, since the Katsura tree grows more frequently, it is a "valuable source of timber... its fine-grained soft wood is used for cabinet making and paneling" (JATAN 1987). Its light timber good for furniture and other interior woodwork. Covering the low land forests of Japan the Katsura tree is detrimental to the japanese timber supply.
Japan is the world's largest importer of timber and paper products. They import large amounts of wood, pulp, and paper to many countries including the United States. Since forest covers "66% of the land", Japan has an abundant amount of timber resources to import and domestically use. The Katsura tree is amongst these trees used to supply timber used in countries all over the world (JATAN 1987).
In more modern studies of the katsura tree, scientists are studying the genetic make-up of the katsuras' xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs) that undergo supercooling and can survive sub-freezing temperatures without actually dying (Wang). See bark section for more details. Basically, the scientists are trying to genetically modify other plants to have these traits of the katsura so that they too can survive sub-freezing temperatures.
Natural Habitat
Scientifically known as Cerciddiphyllum japonicum, the katsura tree is native to Asia, particularly in the deciduous forests of China and Japan and can grow from 30 to 45 meters high (Qi 2012). Because of its native origins this tree thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil and is sustained in sunny areas but clear from drought (Dorsmann).
Scientifically known as Cerciddiphyllum japonicum, the katsura tree is native to Asia, particularly in the deciduous forests of China and Japan and can grow from 30 to 45 meters high (Qi 2012). Because of its native origins this tree thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil and is sustained in sunny areas but clear from drought (Dorsmann).
Seeds
Inside the fruit are tiny brown seeds that are thin and winged. This species of genes is classified in the category of angiosperms, which is the "taxonomic class of plants in which the mature seed is surrounded by the ovule. This group is often referred to as hardwoods" (CSU Chico 2013). Usually, angiosperms are trees that have broad leaves that change color and die every autumn.
Inside the fruit are tiny brown seeds that are thin and winged. This species of genes is classified in the category of angiosperms, which is the "taxonomic class of plants in which the mature seed is surrounded by the ovule. This group is often referred to as hardwoods" (CSU Chico 2013). Usually, angiosperms are trees that have broad leaves that change color and die every autumn.
Leaves
The Katsura is a deciduous tree, meaning its' leaves shed yearly with the seasons. It's leaves are classified as petiolate, meaning the leaves are connected to the branch through a stem. Its' rounded, heart-shaped leaves with rounded, toothed edges are green throughout spring and summer, then turn a golden-red during autumn giving off "a spicy-sweet odor" described as a "caramel scent" (Curty 1996). The leaves then fall off during winter and re-grow in the spring.
The Katsura is a deciduous tree, meaning its' leaves shed yearly with the seasons. It's leaves are classified as petiolate, meaning the leaves are connected to the branch through a stem. Its' rounded, heart-shaped leaves with rounded, toothed edges are green throughout spring and summer, then turn a golden-red during autumn giving off "a spicy-sweet odor" described as a "caramel scent" (Curty 1996). The leaves then fall off during winter and re-grow in the spring.
Flowers and Fruit
During the spring months, these leaves are also accompanied by flowers and fruit. The male flowers have bright red and white stamens (pollen-producing reproductive organ) and yellow pollen and the female fruit have long dark red stigmas (pollen receiving reproductive organ). As for the fruit, it is usually a concealed hard, brown shell that collects to 2 to 4 pods (Curty 1996).
During the spring months, these leaves are also accompanied by flowers and fruit. The male flowers have bright red and white stamens (pollen-producing reproductive organ) and yellow pollen and the female fruit have long dark red stigmas (pollen receiving reproductive organ). As for the fruit, it is usually a concealed hard, brown shell that collects to 2 to 4 pods (Curty 1996).
Bark
The katsura tree has furrowed bark with thick acclamation of cork cells with thin cell walls allowing air pockets. The furrowed bark is very unique in that it contains xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs), which adapt to sub-freezing temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius (Wang). Although the katsura is sensitive to frost, these cells allow the tree to undergo deep supercooling, the process of lowering the temperature of a liquid below its freezing point without solidifying, which helps the tree to survive the harsh weather of winter.
The katsura tree has furrowed bark with thick acclamation of cork cells with thin cell walls allowing air pockets. The furrowed bark is very unique in that it contains xylem parenchyma cells (XPCs), which adapt to sub-freezing temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius (Wang). Although the katsura is sensitive to frost, these cells allow the tree to undergo deep supercooling, the process of lowering the temperature of a liquid below its freezing point without solidifying, which helps the tree to survive the harsh weather of winter.
Germination/Pollination
During pollination, since there are male and female trees, the males sprout small reddish flowers during the spring season and disperse its yellow pollen by wind to the female trees. The female trees have small, green, banana shaped fruit that cracks open during the fall season letting a tiny, brown, winged seed fall. The seeds are wind-dispersed. Due to the xylem parenchyma cells, the seed undergoes deep supercooling that allows the seed to survive through the winter and thaw in the spring, ready for growth (Wang).
During pollination, since there are male and female trees, the males sprout small reddish flowers during the spring season and disperse its yellow pollen by wind to the female trees. The female trees have small, green, banana shaped fruit that cracks open during the fall season letting a tiny, brown, winged seed fall. The seeds are wind-dispersed. Due to the xylem parenchyma cells, the seed undergoes deep supercooling that allows the seed to survive through the winter and thaw in the spring, ready for growth (Wang).
Plants/Animals
The katsura tree has little trouble with infectious bacterial or viral diseases and it does not use the help of animals or other plants for its pollination or germination (Dorsmann).
The katsura tree has little trouble with infectious bacterial or viral diseases and it does not use the help of animals or other plants for its pollination or germination (Dorsmann).
Creative Writing
Screams and doors slamming is all she remembers after running out of the house. The bitter cold of the morning froze the tips of her fingers as she ran down the street with tears trickling down her face. The stress and anxiety was unbearable. Trying to find a piece of mind, she walked. She focused on the physical feelings rather then mental, the numbness of her toes, the tightness of her skin where the tears have dried into salty crystals. She was clearing her head of the all the recent stress only attempting to lift one foot in front of the other.
As the hours passed, the day grew hot and began to seek refuge from the suns beams. She felt a cold sweat tickling my back and the unpleasant nausea of dehydration as she searched for shade. Her eyes darting back and forth until finally there in front of me standing with great height, an orangey red katsura tree stretched over a park bench deemed to be the perfect spot to hide from the sun beating rays.
Lying on the splintering bench, she looked up at the fanning heart-shaped leaves as they shaded her weak body only allowing streams of yellow to dot the area. The shades cool, fresh air immediately submerged her and she felt the pleasant comfort of home. The smell of caramel simmered from the leaves as they fell, carpeting the floor with rich and vivid colors of yellowish orange and deep scarlet. Suddenly all her worries were gone, all her stress and anger from pervious events had disappeared and all she could think about was that sweet smell reminding her of better days.
She walked, daydreaming as a cool breeze streamed through her wispy, light brown hair. Trying to think of last time she was able to walk carelessly, without purpose, without direction. Its been so long since she felt this relaxation of no worries or the overwhelming stress of daily life. She walked and walked, keeping no track of time and hoping this day was everlasting.
Screams and doors slamming is all she remembers after running out of the house. The bitter cold of the morning froze the tips of her fingers as she ran down the street with tears trickling down her face. The stress and anxiety was unbearable. Trying to find a piece of mind, she walked. She focused on the physical feelings rather then mental, the numbness of her toes, the tightness of her skin where the tears have dried into salty crystals. She was clearing her head of the all the recent stress only attempting to lift one foot in front of the other.
As the hours passed, the day grew hot and began to seek refuge from the suns beams. She felt a cold sweat tickling my back and the unpleasant nausea of dehydration as she searched for shade. Her eyes darting back and forth until finally there in front of me standing with great height, an orangey red katsura tree stretched over a park bench deemed to be the perfect spot to hide from the sun beating rays.
Lying on the splintering bench, she looked up at the fanning heart-shaped leaves as they shaded her weak body only allowing streams of yellow to dot the area. The shades cool, fresh air immediately submerged her and she felt the pleasant comfort of home. The smell of caramel simmered from the leaves as they fell, carpeting the floor with rich and vivid colors of yellowish orange and deep scarlet. Suddenly all her worries were gone, all her stress and anger from pervious events had disappeared and all she could think about was that sweet smell reminding her of better days.
She walked, daydreaming as a cool breeze streamed through her wispy, light brown hair. Trying to think of last time she was able to walk carelessly, without purpose, without direction. Its been so long since she felt this relaxation of no worries or the overwhelming stress of daily life. She walked and walked, keeping no track of time and hoping this day was everlasting.
References
Curty, C. C., & Engel, N. N. (1996). Detection, isolation and structure elucidation of a chlorophyll a catabolite from autumnal senescent leaves of Cercidiphyllum japonicum. Phytochemistry, 42(6), 1531-1536.
CSU Chico. (2013). Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? CSU Chico Library. Retrieved from: http://libguides.csuchico.edu/trees.
Dosmann, M. S., Iles, J. K., & Graves, W. R. (n.d). Drought avoidance in katsura by drought-induced leaf abscission and rapid refoliation. Hortscience, 34(5), 871-874.
Japan Tropical Forest Action Network. (2012). Japan's Timber Trade and Forestry. JATAN Japan Tropical Forest Action Network. Retrieved from http://www.jatan.org/eng/japan-e.html.
Qi, X., Chen, C., Comes, H., Sakaguchi, S., Liu, Y., Tanaka, N., & ... Qiu, Y. (2012). Molecular data and ecological niche modelling reveal a highly dynamic evolutionary history of the East Asian Tertiary relict Cercidiphyllum (Cercidiphyllaceae). New Phytologist, 196(2), 617-630. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04242.x
Wang, D., Kasuga, J., Kuwabara, C., Endoh, K., Fukushi, Y., Fujikawa, S., & Arakawa, K. (n.d). Presence of supercooling-facilitating (anti-ice nucleation) hydrolyzable tannins in deep supercooling xylem parenchyma cells in Cercidiphyllum japonicum. Planta (Berlin), 235(4), 747-759.
Curty, C. C., & Engel, N. N. (1996). Detection, isolation and structure elucidation of a chlorophyll a catabolite from autumnal senescent leaves of Cercidiphyllum japonicum. Phytochemistry, 42(6), 1531-1536.
CSU Chico. (2013). Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? CSU Chico Library. Retrieved from: http://libguides.csuchico.edu/trees.
Dosmann, M. S., Iles, J. K., & Graves, W. R. (n.d). Drought avoidance in katsura by drought-induced leaf abscission and rapid refoliation. Hortscience, 34(5), 871-874.
Japan Tropical Forest Action Network. (2012). Japan's Timber Trade and Forestry. JATAN Japan Tropical Forest Action Network. Retrieved from http://www.jatan.org/eng/japan-e.html.
Qi, X., Chen, C., Comes, H., Sakaguchi, S., Liu, Y., Tanaka, N., & ... Qiu, Y. (2012). Molecular data and ecological niche modelling reveal a highly dynamic evolutionary history of the East Asian Tertiary relict Cercidiphyllum (Cercidiphyllaceae). New Phytologist, 196(2), 617-630. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04242.x
Wang, D., Kasuga, J., Kuwabara, C., Endoh, K., Fukushi, Y., Fujikawa, S., & Arakawa, K. (n.d). Presence of supercooling-facilitating (anti-ice nucleation) hydrolyzable tannins in deep supercooling xylem parenchyma cells in Cercidiphyllum japonicum. Planta (Berlin), 235(4), 747-759.