(Cedrus libani A. Richard)
Habitus
- massive tree growing to a height of 30-40 m
- the crown when mature is umbrella-shaped
- bark is dark gray, cracked
- economically very valuable in the past, it was cut down in large quantities, today it is protected, it is in the national emblem of LEBANON
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- assimilation organs needle-like, sharply pointed 1.5 - 3.0 cm long, firm in cross-section, quadrangular, slightly flattened, dark green to gray-blue
- grow singly on long annual twigs
- on brachyblasts in bundles of 30 – 40
Flowers
- monoecious tree, flowers of different sexes, grow from buds on brachyblasts
- blooms in autumn
- ♂ cones are blue-green, upright, yellow after opening
- ♀ cones are green, upright
Fruits – seeds
- fruit is a barrel-shaped upright cone up to 12 cm in size
- at first it is purple-green at the time of maturity, brown
- ripens in the second year, it is crumbling - only the middle spindle remains on the branch
Extension
- originally the mountains of Lebanon, Asia Minor - Taurus, Antitaurus mountains at altitudes of 1,300-2,000 m above sea level.
Ecology
- mountain coniferous forests
Significance
- a decorative woody plant with a habit (massive umbrella-shaped crown)
- due to its majestic appearance, the Lebanese cedar was often used in the landscaping of "English parks"
- the Lebanese cedar has a biblical history – wood because of its properties (strong, durable, highly resinous) it was used in the construction of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem and it is also believed that the "ark of the covenant" was made from the wood of this tree.
- The wood was also used by the Phoenicians in building ships.
- "Cedar" is often mistakenly used for wood with resinous wood and properties similar to cedar (e.g. for some species of the genus pine, larch, ...)
