Range of Dacrydium comosum (de Laubenfels 1988). Adapted from a map by www.expediamaps.com
Dacrydium comosum
"Shrub c. 2-4 m tall, 5 cm diam., on exposed ridge, to a tree at least 12 m tall. Densely branched with branches all turning upward and the aggregated tufts forming a nearly flat to umbrella-like crown. Juvenile leaves spreading perpendicular to the branch and then curving forward ± parallel with the branch, pungent, lanceolate, up to 33 mm long and c. 0.8 mm wide at the base, 0.2 mm thick, sharply keeled on the dorsal side, nearly flat or slightly concave on the axial side. Adult leaves similar to juvenile leaves except that the upper part is usually straight so that the apices are directed somewhat outward, 12-20 mm long, 0.6-1 mm wide but slightly expanded at the basal attachment, 0.2 mm thick. Fertile structures mostly lateral, subtended by a small cluster of reduced leaves which are c. 4 mm long. Pollen cones 8-10 mm long and c. 3 mm diam.; apex of the microsporophyll a narrow lanceolate spur 1.5-2 mm long and c. 0.5 mm wide. Seed-bearing structure consisting of several lanceolate bracts c. 2 mm long, one or two of which are usually fertile. The light brown, fully exposed seeds are 4-5 mm long" (de Laubenfels 1988).
Malaya. "[K]nown only from the crest separating Selangor and Pahang and on the G. Tahan massif; Pine Tree Hill; Ulu Kali; Ginting Highland... On exposed ridges as a local dominant in stunted mossy forest between 1440 and 2200 m" (de Laubenfels 1988).
The IUCN reports that this taxon is endangered. The population is restricted to an area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 km2 that is severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than five locations; and is suffering a continuing decline in extent and/or quality of habitat. This assessment was performed in 1998 and needs to be updated.
No data as of 2023.02.21.
No data as of 2023.02.21.
No data as of 2023.02.21.
The epithet comosum means "having much hair", referring to the tufts of leaves.
The species account at Threatened Conifers of the World.
Last Modified 2023-02-26
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