Dacrydium comosum

Botanical Description

Dacrydium comosum is an evergreen shrub or a tree. When growing on exposed ridges and at higher elevations it is usually a shrub around 2 - 4 metres tall, in more sheltered conditions it can become a tree up to 12 metres tall with a densely branched, umbrella-like crown[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis for its wood according to one report[ 996 Title A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers Publication Malayan Forest Records No. 30 Author Wong T.M. Website http://Elaeocarpaceae Publisher Forest Research Institute Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur Year 2002 ISBN 983-2181-29-1 Description A fairly comprehensive guide to Malaysian timbers, giving their properties and the main tree species from which they are obtained. ], though, if used at all, it is only likely to be of local importance[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Extensive surveys of the flora of Peninsular Malaysia have resulted in the discovery of only five locations of this species. Four of these are situated within areas that have been highly developed for tourism hence there is continuing decline. This restricted occurrence increases the risk of disasters like fire even if the actual rocky localities themselves were not subject to further development. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].