{{Short description|Species of conifer}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2024}} {{Speciesbox | image = Libocedrus bidwillii in West Coast Region 06.jpg | image_caption =''L. bidwillii'' in the West Coast Region | status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2013 |title=''Libocedrus bidwillii'' |volume=2013 |article-number=e.T42259A2967780 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42259A2967780.en |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Libocedrus | species = bidwillii | authority = Hook.f. }}

'''''Libocedrus bidwillii''''', also called '''pāhautea''', '''kaikawaka''' or '''New Zealand cedar''',<ref name="orokonui">[http://www.orokonui.org.nz/pahautea_feature.html Wildlife Feature] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528060730/http://www.orokonui.org.nz/pahautea_feature.html |date=2009-05-28 }} on Orokonui Ecosanctuary website, retrieved 2009-06-10</ref> is a species of ''Libocedrus'', endemic to New Zealand. It is in the cypress family Cupressaceae.

== Name ==

''Libocedrus bidwillii'' is named after J. C. Bidwill, the New Zealand botanist and explorer.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63848025|title=Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume one|last=Eagle|first=Audrey|publisher=Te Papa Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-909010-08-9|location=Wellington|pages=40|language=en}}</ref> The species is commonly named by its Māori names, pāhautea or kaikawaka. However, according to DOC botanist Geoff Rogers, pāhautea is preferred correct form.<ref name=Wilderness-2011/>

== Description ==

It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 25 m tall, with a trunk up to 2.5 m diameter. The foliage is arranged in flattened sprays; the leaves are scale-like, 1.5–2&nbsp;mm long and 1&nbsp;mm broad, arranged in opposite decussate pairs on the shoots. The seed cones are cylindrical, 8–12&nbsp;mm long, with four scales each with a prominent curved spine-like bract; they are arranged in two opposite decussate pairs around a small central columella; the outer pair of scales is small and sterile, the inner pair large, bearing two winged seeds. They are mature about six to eight months after pollination. The pollen cones are 2.5–5&nbsp;mm long.<ref name=farjon/>

The timber seldom becomes commercially available. It is very light in weight and a distinct light purple when cut. The timber in small dimension sizes is prone to spiral and twist when cut. It is sometimes used for lightweight sailing boat construction. It glues and holds ring nails well.

== Distribution and habitat == The tree grows in both the North and South Islands; in the North Island, it occurs from Te Aroha southward. It grows at 250–1,200 m altitude in temperate rainforests.<ref name=farjon>Farjon, A. (2005). ''Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys''. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. {{ISBN|1-84246-068-4}}</ref><ref name="iucn status 17 November 2021" /> It is absent from Stewart Island.<ref name=Wilderness-2011>{{cite journal |last1= Barnett|first1= Shaun|date=2011 |title= Mountain cedar: Three places to see this shapely tree of the mountains|journal= Wilderness: New Zealand's Magazine of the Outdoors|issue= 5|page=18 }}</ref>

=== Conservation status === ''Libocedrus bidwillii'' is listed as near-threatened species.

Apart from logging, the main threat of ''Libocedrus bidwillii'' comes from possums. Severe possum browse can kill a cedar tree, leaving only stark stag head.<ref name=Wilderness-2011/>

==Gallery== <gallery> File:LibocedrusBidwillii.jpg|Foliage File:Libocedrus bidwillii 2.JPG|Bark image:Leith_saddle.jpg|''Libocedrus bidwillii'' on the skyline at Leith Saddle near Dunedin, New Zealand </gallery>

==References== {{Commons}} {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q255029}} {{Authority control}}

bidwillii Category:Flora of the North Island Category:Flora of the South Island Category:Trees of New Zealand Category:Trees of mild maritime climate Category:Least concern plants Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot