Cryptomerias are native to Japan where the trees reach sequoia-like heights of 80 meters. Cryptomeria japonica is the only species in its genus, making the plant monotypic. It is also endemic to Japan (meaning that it is only found - in nature - in Japan) and extremely common there. Japan is the most diverse area for conifers -- more families (6), genera (18) and species (45) of conifers are found in Japan than anywhere else.
Cryptomerias are commonly referred to as 'Japanese cedars' which is a misnomer since the plant is not a cedar (Cedrus) at all. It isn't even a member of the cedar family (Pinaceae), but a member of the cypress (Cupressaceae) family. The branchlets remind me of little pipe cleaners, with small compressed leaves that look similar to the juvenile awls of junipers.
The bark is quite similar to other Cupressaceae species, with a reddish, cinnamon color and vertical fibrous strips. You can make some assumptions about the etymology of the word Cryptomeria. Crypto- is derivative of the ancient Greek word krypto- which means hidden. Meri- means 'part'. Essentially the name is referring to the fact that all the reproductive parts of the plant are hidden in the seed capsules.
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