Ohwi 1985 Flora of Japan

Japanese name: Ibuki, Ibuki-byakushin, Kamakura-byakushin.

Much-branched dioecious shrub to small tree; leaves dimorphic, the scalelikc leaves deep green, opposite, rhombic-ovate, obtuse, closely appressed, about 1.5 mm. long, decussate, the branchlets appearing 4-angled, with an obscure gland at back, the acicular leaves ternate, decussate, obliquely spreading or ascending, 5-10 mm. long, gradually narrowed above into a short point, with 2 stomatai bands above; cones subglobose, 6-8 mm. in diameter, browiHsh, slighdy glaucous; seeds 2 or 3.

Near seashores;

Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu. China and Mongolia. Much cultivated and very variable.

 

 

Chang et al., 2010 Woody Flora

A tree or a shrub, straight or procument. The branches of the first year green and of the third year dark brown, leaves dimorphic, broad leaves from the seventh or eighth year, but sprouts needle-like. leaves arranged in 4-6 rows, and a concave and protruding midrib with a green back. 8-12mm long. male cone  oval, 3mm long, light gravel-colored, and 4-6 pollen sacs inside each scale. female cone round, 1.5mm in diameter, with four green scales on the outside and two pairs of seed bracts on the inside. cones subglobose, 7.5-12mm wide, and black when ripe. seeds 2-3(5). oval, 6mm × 3.7mm, dark brwon. 

pollination April
seed maturation October
Disribution central and northern China, Mongolia, central Honshu (Pacific side) and Kyushu in Japan, and some parts of Ulleungdo of Korea.