Cedrus libani: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia


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| genus = Cedrus

| species = libani

| authority = [[A.Rich.]] (1823)

| subdivision_ranks = Varieties

| subdivision =

*[[Cedrus libani var. brevifolia|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''brevifolia'']] {{small|Hook.f.}}

*''Cedrus libani'' var. ''libani''

| subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>{{cite web |title=''Cedrus libani'' A.Rich. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:676705-1 |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

| range_map = Cedrus libani range.svg

| range_map_caption = Distribution map<br>

:{{Colorbox|#70A800}} ''Cedrus libani'' var. ''libani''

| synonyms = Several, including:

:{{Colorbox|#FF0000}} ''Cedrus libani'' var. ''brevifolia'' (syn. ''Cedrus brevifolia'')

* ''Cedrus elegans'' Knight<ref>Knight Syn. Conif. 42 1850</ref>▼

|synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets=true

|title={{small|Synonymy}}

|''Abies cedrus'' {{small|(L.) J.St.-Hil. (1805)}}

|''Cedrus cedrus'' {{small|(L.) Huth (1893), not validly publ.}}

|''Cedrus effusa'' {{small|(Salisb.) Voss (1907), nom. superfl.}}

|''Cedrus libanitica'' {{small|Trew ex Pilg. (1926), nom. superfl.}}

|''Cedrus libanitica'' subsp. ''libani'' {{small|(A.Rich.) O.Schwarz (1944), not validly publ.}}

|''Cedrus libanotica'' {{small|Link (1831), nom. superfl.}}

|''Cedrus libanotica'' subsp. ''libani'' {{small|(A.Rich.) Holmboe (1914)}}

|''Cedrus patula'' {{small|K.Koch (1873), nom. superfl.}}

|''Larix cedrus'' {{small|(L.) Mill. (1768)}}

|''Larix patula'' {{small|Salisb. (1807), nom. superfl.}}

|''Peuce cedrus'' {{small|(L.) Rich. (1810), not validly publ.}}

|''Picea cedrus'' {{small|(L.) Peterm. (1838-1845)}}

|''Pinus cedrus'' {{small|L. (1753)}}

|''Pinus cedrus var. effusa'' {{small|Voss (1913), not validly publ.}}

|''Pinus effusa'' {{small|Salisb. (1796), nom. superfl.}}<br>

'''Synonyms of ''C. libani'' var. ''libani'':'''

▲* |''Cedrus elegans'' {{small|Knight (1850)}}<ref>Knight Syn. Conif. 42 1850</ref>

|''Cedrus libanensis'' {{small|Juss. ex Mirb. (1825)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''argentea'' {{small|Antoine & Kotschy (1855)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' f. ''nana'' {{small|(Loudon) Beissn. (1887)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''nana'' {{small|Loudon (1838)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' f. ''pendula'' {{small|(Carrière) Beissn. (1887)}}

|''Cedrus libani pendula'' {{small|Knight & Perry (1850), nom. nud.}}

|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''pendula'' {{small|Carrière (1855)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''pendula-sargentii'' {{small|Hornibr. (1923)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' var. ''stenocoma'' {{small|(O.Schwarz) Frankis (2000 publ. 2001)}}

|''Cedrus libani'' subsp. ''stenocoma'' {{small|(O.Schwarz) Greuter & Burdet (1981)}}

|''Cedrus libanitica'' var. ''pendula'' {{small|(Carrière) L.H.Bailey (1933)}}

|''Cedrus libanitica'' var. ''sargentii'' {{small|Hornibr. (1939), nom. superfl.}}

|''Cedrus libanitica'' subsp. ''stenocoma'' {{small|O.Schwarz (1944)}}

|''Cedrus libanotica'' f. ''pendula'' {{small|(Carrière) Rehder (1925)}}

|''Cedrus libanotica'' var. ''pendula'' {{small|(Carrière) Rehder (1927)}}

}}

|synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo/><ref>{{cite web |title=''Cedrus libani'' var. ''libani'' |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77190090-1 |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref>

}}

'''''Cedrus libani''''', the '''cedar of Lebanon''' or '''Lebanese cedar''' ({{Lang-ar|أرز لبناني|ʾarz Lubnāniyy}}), is a [[species]] of tree in the genus ''[[Cedrus]]'', a part of the [[Pinaceae|pine family]], [[native species|native]] to the mountains of the [[Eastern Mediterranean]] basin. It is a large [[evergreen]] [[conifer]] that has great religious and historical significance in the cultures of the [[Middle East]], and is referenced many times in the literature of ancient civilisations. It is the national emblem of [[Lebanon]] and is widely used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.

==Description==

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''C. libani'' var. ''libani'': Lebanon cedar, cedar of Lebanon – grows in Lebanon, western [[Syria]], and south-central [[Turkey]]. ''C. libani'' var. ''stenocoma'' (the Taurus cedar), considered a subspecies in earlier literature, is now recognized as an [[ecotype]] of ''C. libani'' var. ''libani.'' It usually has a spreading crown that does not flatten. This distinct morphology is a habit that is assumed to cope with the competitive environment, since the tree occurs in dense stands mixed with the tall-growing ''[[Abies cilicica]],'' or in pure stands of young cedar trees.<ref name=":01"/>

[[Cedrus libani var. brevifolia|''C. libani'' var. ''brevifolia'']]: The Cyprus cedar occurs on the island's [[Troodos Mountains]].<ref name=":01"/> This taxon was considered a separate species from ''C. libani'' because of morphological and ecophysiological trait differences.<ref name="Debazac">Debazac 1964</ref><ref name=":3">Ladjal 2001</ref> It is characterized by slow growth, shorter needles, and higher tolerance to drought and aphids.<ref name=":3"/><ref name="fabre">Fabre et al. 2001, pp. 88–89</ref> Genetic relationship studies, however, did not recognize ''C. brevifolia'' as a separate species, the markers being indistinguishable from those of ''C. libani.''<ref name="Fady">Fady et al. 2000</ref><ref name="Kharrat">Kharrat 2006, p. 282</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==

[[File:Male cone of Cedar of Lebanon.JPG|200px|thumb|Male cone]]

''C. libani'' var. ''libani'' is endemic to elevated mountains around the [[Eastern Mediterranean]] in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. The tree grows in well-drained calcareous [[Orthent|lithosols]] on rocky, north- and west-facing slopes and ridges and thrives in rich loam or a sandy clay in full sun.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cedrus+libani|title=Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon PFAF Plant Database|website=pfaf.org|publisher=Plants for a Future|access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> Its natural habitat is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters with an annual precipitation of {{Convert|1000|to|1500|mm|abbr=on}}; the trees are blanketed by a heavy snow cover at the higher altitudeselevations.<ref name=":0"/> In Lebanon and Turkey, it occurs most abundantly at altitudeselevations of {{Convert|1300|to|3000|m|abbr=on}}, where it forms pure [[forest]]s or mixed forests with Cilician fir (''[[Abies cilicica]]''), European black pine (''[[Pinus nigra]]''), Turkish pine (''[[Pinus brutia]]''), and several [[juniper]] species. In Turkey, it can occur as low as {{Convert|500|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2">{{cite iucn |author=Gardner, M. |date=2013 |title=''Cedrus libani'' var. ''libani'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T42305A2970821 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42305A2970821.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0"/>

[[Cedrus brevifolia|''C.'' libani''brevifolia'']], a closely related species or perhaps a subspecies ofvar. ''C. libanibrevifolia'', grows in similar conditions onin mediumthe to[[Troodos highMountains]] mountains inof [[Cyprus]] fromat medium to high altitudeselevations ranging from {{Convert|900|to|1525|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2"/><ref name=":0"/>

==History and symbolism==

In the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]], one of the earliest great works of literature, the Sumerian hero [[Gilgamesh]] and his friend [[Enkidu]] travel to the legendary [[Cedar Forest]] to kill its guardian and cut down its trees. While early versions of the story place the forest in Iran, later Babylonian accounts of the story place the Cedar Forest in the Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Archaeology and Homeric epic |last1=Sherratt |first1=Susan |last2=Bennet |first2=John |publisher=Oxbow Books |year=2017 |isbn=9781785702969 |location=Oxford |pages=127 |oclc=959610992}}</ref>

The Lebanon cedar is mentioned 103several times in the [[Bible]]. Hebrew priests were ordered by [[Moses]] to use the bark of the Lebanon cedar in the treatment of leprosy.<ref>Leviticus 14:1–4</ref> [[Solomon]] also procured cedar timber to build the [[Temple in Jerusalem]].<ref name="ourladyoflebanon-dc.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourladyoflebanon-dc.org/histcedars.html|title=Welcome to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church's Homepage|access-date=19 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602041955/http://www.ourladyoflebanon-dc.org/histcedars.html|archive-date=2 June 2009}}</ref> The Hebrew prophet [[Isaiah]] used the Lebanon cedar (together with "oaks of Bashan", "all the high mountains" and "every high tower") as examples of loftiness as a metaphor for the pride of the world<ref>Isaiah 2:13</ref> and in [[Psalm]] 92:12 it says "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon".<ref>Psalm 92:12 – "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon"</ref>

===National and regional significance===

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The Lebanon cedar is the [[national emblem]] of Lebanon, and is displayed on the [[flag of Lebanon]] and [[coat of arms of Lebanon]]. It is also the logo of [[Middle East Airlines]], which is Lebanon's national carrier. Beyond that, it is also the main symbol of Lebanon's "[[Cedar Revolution]]" of 2005, the [[17 October Revolution]], also known as the ''Thawra'' ("Revolution") along with many Lebanese political parties and movements, such as the [[Lebanese Forces]]. Finally, Lebanon is sometimes [[metonymy|metonymically]] referred to as the Land of the Cedars.<ref>Erman 1927, p. 261</ref><ref>Cromer 2004, p. 58</ref>

[[Arkansas]], among other [[United States|US]] states, has a Champion Tree program that records exceptional tree specimens. The Lebanon cedar recognized by the state is located inside [[Hot Springs National Park]] and is estimated to be over 100 years old.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.aad.arkansas.gov/cedar-lebanon-cedrus-libani | title=Cedar Lebanon (Cedrus libani) | access-date=5 January 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010249/https://www.aad.arkansas.gov/cedar-lebanon-cedrus-libani | archive-date=6 January 2019 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Cultivation==

[[File:Monumento en Palacio Legislativo - panoramio (5).jpg|thumb|Lebanese cedars in the gardens of the [[Legislative Palace of Uruguay|Legislative Palace]] of [[Uruguay]].]]

The Lebanon cedar is widely planted as an [[ornamental tree]] in parks and gardens.<ref name=":5">Hemery & Simblet 2014, p. 55</ref><ref>Howard 1955, p. 168</ref>

When the first cedar of Lebanon was planted in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] is unknown, but it dates at least to 1664, when it is mentioned in ''[[Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-Trees and the Propagation of Timber]]'' by [[John Evelyn]].<ref>Hemery & Simblet 2014, p. 54</ref> In Britain, cedars of Lebanon are known for their use in London's [[Highgate Cemetery]].<ref name=":5"/>

''C. libani'' has gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]]<ref name="RHSPF">{{Cite web

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===Propagation===

[[File:Baby Cedrus Libani.jpg|thumb|An eight-month-old seedling]]

[[File:Lebanon Cedar in half Barrel.png|thumb|Small [[:en:Cedrus libani|Cedrus libani]]

In order to germinate ''Cedrus libani'' seeds, potting soil is preferred, since it is less likely to contain fungal species which may kill the seedling in its early stages. Before sowing it is important to soak the seed at room temperature for a period of 24 hours followed by cold stratification (~&nbsp;3–5&nbsp;°C) for two to four weeks. Once the seeds have been sown, it is recommended that they be kept at room temperature (~&nbsp;20&nbsp;°C) and in the vicinity of sunlight. The soil should be kept slightly damp with low frequency watering. Over-watering may cause damping off which will quickly kill the seedlings. Initial growth will be around 3–5&nbsp;cm the first year and will accelerate subsequent years.<ref>Tree Seed Online LTD</ref>▼

in [[:en:Shimizu Park|Shimizu Park]] [[:en:Noda, Chiba|Noda, Chiba]] [[:en:Japan|Japan]]. Photo taken on 5, May 2005.]]

▲In order to germinate ''Cedrus libani'' seeds, potting soil is preferred, since it is less likely to contain fungal species which may kill the seedling in its early stages. Before sowing it is important to soak the seed at room temperature for a period of 24 hours followed by cold stratification (~&nbsp;3–5&nbsp;°C) for two to four weeks. Once the seeds have been sown, it is recommended that they be kept at room temperature (~&nbsp;20&nbsp;°C) and in the vicinity of sunlight. The soil should be kept slightly damp with low frequency watering. Over-watering may cause damping off which will quickly kill the seedlings. Initial growth will be around 3–5&nbsp;cm3–5cm the first year and will accelerate subsequent years.<ref>Tree Seed Online LTD</ref>

==Uses==

Cedar wood is prized for its fine grain, attractive yellow color, and fragrance. It is exceptionally durable and immune to insect ravages. Wood from ''C. libani'' has a density of 560&nbsp;kg560kg/m<sup>3</sup>; it is used for furniture, construction, and handicrafts. In Turkey, [[shelterwood cutting]] and [[clearcutting]] techniques are used to harvest timber and promote uniform forest regeneration. Cedar resin (cedria) and cedar [[essential oil]] (cedrum) are prized extracts from the timber and cones of the cedar tree.<ref name=":4">CABI 2013, p. 117</ref><ref>Coxe 1808, p. CED</ref>

==Ecology and conservation==

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[[Category:Ornamental trees]]

[[Category:Natural history of Anatolia]]

[[Category:Plants described in 1823]]

[[Category:Taxa named by Achille Richard]]