Alerce, false larch

Description:

Fitzroya cupressoides is a very large evergreen tree, the largest tree species in South America, normally growing to 40–60 m (131–196 ft; but occasionally more than 70 m in Argentina) tall and up to 5 m in trunk diameter. Much larger specimens existed in the past before the species was heavily logged in the 19th and 20th centuries; Charles Darwin reported finding a specimen 12.6 m (41' 6") in diameter. The leaves are in decussate whorls of three, 3–6 mm long (to 8 mm long on seedlings) and 2 mm broad, marked with two white stomatal lines. The cones are globose, 6–8 mm diameter, opening flat to 12 mm across, with nine scales in three whorls of three. Only the central whorl of scales is fertile, bearing 2-3 seeds on each scale; the lower and upper whorls are small and sterile. The seeds are 2–3 mm long and flat, with a wing along each side. The seeds mature 6–8 months after pollination.

Habitat:

Se trata de un árbol originario del bosque húmedo templado valdiviano del sur de Argentina y Chile, entre los 40º y los 43º de latitud Sur, tanto en la Cordillera de los Andes de ambos países como en la Cordillera de la Costa de Chile.