Species:

(Cedrus atlantica Manetti)
-> Genus: Cedrus (Cedrus) -> Family: Pinaceae (Pinaceae) -> Group: Gymnosperms

Habitus

  • tree growing to a height of 30 - 40 m, crown conical when young, sparse, terminal shoot erect, or only slightly inclined
  • bark grey-brown, deeply cracked, forms rectangular irregular plates

Shoots

  • produces two types of shoots (similar to deciduous larch):
    1. long shoots (macroblasts) - yellow, densely hairy, later grey-brown
    2. shortened shoots (brachyblasts) - grow on biennial branches

Leaves (assimilation organs)

  • needles 15 - 25 x 1 - 1.5 mm large, sharp-tipped, firm, angular (in cross-section + / - square), dark green or bluish-grey
  • on long shoots (macroblasts) grow individually in a spiral
  • on shortened shoots (brachyblasts) grow in whorl-like bundles
  • last 4 - 6 years on branches

Flowers

  • monoecious woody plant flowers unisexual, grow from buds on brachyblasts
  • blooms late in autumn X - XI
  • ♂ cones are cylindrical, rounded, greenish-yellow, upright, 40 - 50 x 8 - 12 mm large
  • ♀ cones are broadly ovoid, green-purple, upright, 8 - 10 x 4 - 6 mm large

Fruits – seeds

  • fruit is a cone 5 - 7 x 3 - 4 cm large, broadly ovoid to cylindrical, bluntly terminated, light brown, shiny, resinous, the seed scales are round, entire-marginal
  • ripens in the spring of the 3rd calendar year and then disintegrates.

Extension

  • it is originally distributed in the north of Africa in the Rif, High Atlas and Middle Atlas mountains at altitudes of 1,350 - 2,000 m above the sea level.
  • was introduced to Europe in 1832.

Ecology

  • a light-loving woody plant, tolerates drought well, requires a warm summer
  • in Slovakia it is often damaged by low temperatures

Significance

  • decorative habit, autumn flowering and fruits
  • various forms are known - columnar, mourning, but also colorful forms