Conifer with persistent foliage. Etymology: dolabrata, in knife blade, because of flat scales. Origin: Japan. Habitat: wetlands. Sunny position. Hardiness: zone 6 (it supports cold until -23 °C or -9 °F). Height: 20 m tall. Shape: conical, sometimes in several trunks and branches spread in upright end. Bark: fibrous gray to reddish brown, peeling off in strips revealing orange underneath. Leaves in scales from 4 to 6 mm flattened. They resemble those of the arborvitaes, but distinguish themselves by stomatas waxen, white, of a nice effect, on underside. Flowers on the stems of the previous year, at the beginning of the spring; female green bluish, male cones green blackish of 0,2 cm. Fruits: cones in 6 or 8 woody scales, with an upright thorn, turning of the bluish green to the bluish reddish-brown; 5 cm. Use: Thuyopsis is planted in Europe as ornamental tree.
