Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Cedrus libani

Family

Pinaceae

Flowering season

September to October

English distribution

It is found throughout the country but is less common

in the North, the far Southeast and the far Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Cedar-of-Lebanon

Habitat

It is a neophyte which was introduced into the UK in

the late 1630s. It grows in estates, parks and large

gardens.

Although it produces seed it does not normally

regenerate.

Description

Cedar-of-Lebanon is an evergreen tree growing

up to 42m.

Male cones are up to 8cm and upright. They start

off light green before turning yellow and then

orange brown.

Female cones are barrel-shaped and up to 10cm.

They taper towards the top. They start off pale

green in year one, turn a purplish-grey in year 2

and brown in year 3, when they disintegrate and

release winged seeds.

The spikes of old cones can be seen on the trees

for some time.

The needles are in whorls on short shoots.

They are up to 3cm and terminate in a short spine

which is translucent only at the tip.

The bark of the trunk is fissured and grey-black.

The shape of the tree is different to the other 2

cedars found in the UK, Atlas Cedar and Deodar.

The top of the canopy is flat or rounded and the

side branches are broad and horizontal.