LEAVES.—Opposite, 4-ranked, scale-like, appressed; ovate, obtuse or pointed, keeled in the side pairs, flat in the others; 1/8-1/4 inch long; yellow-green, often becoming brown in winter; strongly aromatic when crushed. Persistent 1-2 years.
FLOWERS.—April-May; usually monoecious; the staminate minute, globose, yellow, composed of 4-6 stamens arranged oppositely on a short axis; the pistillate small, oblong, reddish, composed of 8-12 scales arranged oppositely on a short axis.
FRUIT.—Early autumn of first season, but persistent on the branch through the winter; erect, short-stalked, oblong-ovoid, pale brown cones, about 1/2 inch long, composed of 8-12 loose scales; seeds 1/8 inch long, ovate, acute, winged.
WINTER-BUDS.—Naked, minute.
BARK.—Twigs yellow-green, becoming light red, finally smooth, lustrous, dark orange-brown; thin, light red-brown on the trunk, slightly furrowed or deciduous in ragged strips.
WOOD.—Light, soft, brittle, rather coarse-grained, durable, fragrant, pale yellow-brown, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Throughout the Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula as far south as Montcalm County.
HABITAT.—Prefers moist soil in low swamps and along river-banks.
NOTES.—Slow of growth. Tolerant of all soils and exposures. Especially useful for hedges or narrow evergreen screens.