Tsuga

views updated

Tsuga (hemlock firs; family Pinaceae) A genus of evergreen conifers, with narrow, oblong, flat, blunt, stalked leaves arranged spirally on the stems, but spreading laterally and usually unequal in length, with 2 white bands lengthwise beneath. The cones are small, rounded, and pendulous, with persistent scales and inconspicuous bracts. There are about 10 species, some native to temperate N. America, others to eastern Asia. The genus includes several valuable timber trees, often grown commercially.