Nothotsuga is a genus of coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae endemic to China. Nothotsuga contains only one species, Nothotsuga longibracteata, commonly known as the bristlecone hemlock, which is found in southeastern China, in southern Fujian, northern Guangdong, northeast Guangxi, northeast Guizhou, and southwest Hunan. Description N. longibracteata is an evergreen tree reaching tall. The leaves are flat, needle-like, long and broad, very similar to those of Tsuga. The cones are very similar to those of Keteleeria, but smaller, long, erect, and mature in about 6–8 months after pollination. Taxonomy In many respects, Nothotsuga is intermediate between the genera Keteleeria and Tsuga. It was discovered in 1932, and at first treated as Tsuga longibracteata, being classified in its own genus in 1989 when new research indicated how distinct it is from other species of Tsuga - by the larger, erect cones with exserted bracts, and (like Keteleeria) male cones in umbels, and from Keteleeria by the shorter leaves and smaller cones. Conservation It is a very rare tree listed as a near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to historical deforestation, though it is now protected. References Further reading External links Arboretum de Villardebelle - photo of cones Gymnosperm Database Flora of China Pinaceae Endemic flora of China Trees of China Flora of Fujian Flora of Guangdong Flora of Guangxi Flora of Guizhou Flora of Hunan Monotypic conifer genera Near threatened flora of Asia