A columnar tree to 20 m tall. Bark of old trees shredding in strips. Branchlets shed at the base of the tree. Leaves 3-7 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, linear to linear-lanceolate, persisting for five or so years then dying and remaining dry and brown on the plant for several years, often curving backwards; margins finely toothed, apex with a fine point. Male cones c. 12 together in terminal clusters. Female cones 3-4 cm long, solitary or grouped near the ends of the shoots, more or less spherical; scales stiff, pointed, long-spined. Seeds 3 on each scale, winged.

C & S China.

NSW: Bundanoon (Erith St, entrance to 'Ardross', old tree). VIC: Dandenongs (Alfred Nicholas Gardens c. 6 m in 1990); Daylesford (Bot. Gds); Geelong (Bot. Gds); Maryborough (Phillips Garden); Melbourne (Royal Bot. Gds). TAS: Launceston (Cataract Gorge,large tree 20 m tall in 1992); Hobart (Royal Tasmanian Bot. Gds). ACT: Weston Park (SW corner); Yarralumla (Nsy).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Taxodiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. 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.