8. Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides: Dawn Redwood

Native to China, it was first discovered in the fossil record. Only in 1941 where living members of the species were discovered by botanists Cheng and Hu in Lichuan County in Southwestern China. Several native populations are still present in this region. The tree has also been cultivated around the world. It has been studied for antifungal properties that could be used to prevent fungal infections in crops, and to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth in food. The only member of its genus, the Dawn Redwood is a large, cone shaped tree with slightly upturned branches. It has opposite and decussate (each pair at a right angle to the adjacent pair) shoots and needles that turn brown in the fall.