Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.) Buchholz, synonym Sequoia gigantea (Lindl.) Decne., family Taxodiaceae. Wellingtonia or California Big Tree
Evergreen conifer, native to western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, California. Cultivated for ornament in eastern states and in western and southern Europe. Some of the tallest trees in the word have been Wellingtonias, some recorded at 110m (365ft) and 4,000 years old. In Europe it may reach about 50m (165ft). Male and female flowers appear on same tree. Males appear in October, then turn yellow and shed pollen in March. Females are tiny green conelets about 1.2cm (½in) long with spine tipped scales. Cones mature in 2 years from green conelets about 7.5cm (3in) long to dark brown. They may remain on the tree for up to 20 years. Seeds are winged. Foliage consists of scale-like leaves and have an aniseed-like smell when crushed.