A tall evergreen conifer tree native to Japan and China, known for its fine-grained wood and feathery foliage.
From Greek 'kryptos' (hidden) + 'meros' (part); named because its reproductive structures are somewhat concealed. The genus was formally described in the 19th century by botanists studying East Asian conifers.
Japanese cryptomeria, called 'sugi' in Japan, has been prized for over 1,000 years for its beautiful wood—so many ancient temples were built with it that the trees have become culturally sacred in Shinto tradition.
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