Deciduous, tree to 40 m or so tall in nature. Branches horizontal. Branchlets long with the short, club-shaped spurs longer than those of the larch, constricted between the annual rings. Buds of long shoots ovoid and pointed, with free-tipped deciduous scales; short shoot with persistent scales. Leaves deciduous, mostly 3-6 cm long, 15-30 in a cluster, ridged below, bright green becoming golden in autumn. Male cones in clusters of 20-25 on spur shoots. Female cones 3-6 cm long when mature, bright green, with free-tipped triangular scales and resembling a small globe artichoke. Seeds c. 8 mm long, pale buff with resin spots; wing 2.5-3 cm long, triangular, brittle.
Available in the nursery trade but few trees established. Will tolerate hot summers as long as there is plenty of moisture.
S & E China.
VIC: Dandenongs ('Pirianda').
Source: (1995). Pinaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.