This genus, of which only one species is as yet known to botanists, is so named from the singular arrangement of its long leaves in regular whorls at the termination of the shoots, suggestive of the ribs of an umbrella. It is indigenous to mountains in Japan, and though extensively cultivated there, in gardens and in the vicinity of temples, is but sparingly met with in a wild state.

It is described as one of the most beautiful of Japanese Conifers, forming in its native habitats a tall stately conical tree of from 80 to 140 feet in height, densely furnished with alternate or verticillate branches, spreading out from the trunk horizontally. The leaves are from 2 to 4 inches long, linear, of a tough leathery texture, and of a warm green colour: they are produced at the point of each season's shoot, in whorls of from 30 to 40; and as they remain persistent for three years, three distinct sets, representing as many growths, are generally present. Though known and described many years before, this interesting plant was only introduced into Britain in 1861, seeds being early in that year sent home by Mr Fortune. From what we have seen of it in various districts of the country, it is, though of very slow growth, an exquisitely pretty little shrub - hardy enough if planted in a warm sheltered situation; and though we do not expect it will ever take a position as a timber-tree, or even rise to a stature lofty enough to form a prominent feature in our lawns or shrubberies, it is worthy of a place in any collection of ornamental shrubs. It requires a deep rich loamy soil, with a dry but cool subsoil.

Hugh Fraser.