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Species of the month

Giant Sequoia

Sequoiadendron giganteum

IUCN Red List: VU (v2.3)

Some facts about this giant tree:

Average height: 50–85 m (165–280 ft).
Trunk diameter: 6–8 m (18–24 ft).
Life span: Up to 3,500 years.
Protection status: Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3).
Range: Central California, along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada range, U.S.A.
Tallest recorded Sequoia: 94.8 m (311 ft).

Sequoiadendron giganteum, is the sole living member of the genus Sequoiadendron in the familia Cupressaceae. In terms of volume, it is the world's largest tree, and is considered as the largest living organism today. A mature tree may have about 11,000 cones, and disperse from 300,000 to 400,000 seeds per year. A mature Giant Sequoia weighs as much as 1225 tons (2.7 million pounds)!

(Archived from Template:Species of the week)