Fauna
Plant

Fortune's Keteleeria

Keteleeria fortunei

Also known as Fortune's Fir, Chinese Keteleeria

Fortune's Keteleeria stands as a stately, ancient conifer recognizable by its broad, flat-topped crown at maturity and deeply furrowed grayish-brown bark. Its flat, glossy green needles spread in two distinct rows along pale shoots, bearing erect female cones that ripen from green to golden brown. Resting as a living fossil on the warm mountain slopes of southern China, centuries-old trees anchor subtropical canopy communities.

EvergreenAncient RelictConifer
Fortune's Keteleeria reference1 / 5
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
ThreatsHabitat loss, timber harvesting, poor natural seed regeneration
HabitatsSubtropical mountain slopes, hill forests, mixed broadleaf woodlands
Life spanUp to 1,000+ years
Classification
  1. FamilyPinaceae
  2. SpeciesKeteleeria fortunei
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by its massive straight trunk, ridged bark, and erect canopy cones in southern China.
Support conservation
Observe from established trails to prevent soil compaction around sensitive, ancient roots.
Responsible observation
  • Cone Observation: Look high in the canopy to view upright, cylindrical seed cones.
  • Foliage Identification: Check the flat, stiff needles arranged in two flat rows along twigs.
  • Habitat Spotting: Search steep, well-drained mountain slopes between 200 and 1400 meters.
Related species
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