User:Michaelward1/sandbox

Metasequoia anatolia (also called European Redwood)is a large deciduous conifer tree in the genus Metasequoia. It was recently discovered in south Anatolia by arborist Sean Michael Ward I.. Because of its deciduous needles and oddly shaped cones, this species was quickly placed along-side Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Young M. anatolia quickly shoot out of the forest ground and gain girth before it gets tall. After studying species across Turkey, the conclusion has come that the M. anatolia grows slightly taller and wider than the M. glyptostroboides.

On March 22, 2017, Sean Michael Ward I. and his botanical crew went into the deep condensed forests of the Pontic Mountains. Realizing that the native flora was not yet known to man, the crew set up camp and soon settled for the evening. Early in the morning, one sought to identify a specimen of a strange tree. He was not able to identify it and brought in the experts. Stumping the head arborists, the group decided to name the tree M. anatolia. After collecting seeds, cones and leave samples, the crew brought the discovery public.

Morphology
The European Redwood has slightly longer needles then the ones of M. glyptostroboides. The conical form of the tree and opposite orientation make the tree very similar to the M. glyptostroboides. The more ovoid shaping of the cones are one way to distinguish this species. The reddish-orange bark on the European Redwood makes it stick out in the forests.