The genus epithet Cunninghamia is named in honour of English botanist Allan Cunningham (1791–1839), but the species was first collected and introduced to Britain in 1804 by his successor at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, William Kerr (1779–1814).

Native to south and central China, probably introduced in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Monoecious.

Medium-tall (30m). Bark red-brown, longitudinally fissured, exposing brighter, strongly aromatic inner bark. Branches in graceful whorls, with pendulous tips retained for years. Leaves bright green, lance-shaped, 7cm, flexible but spine-tipped, in two ranks. Male cones in catkin-like clusters; female cones solitary or in small groups of 2-4 at foliage tips, ovoid, 3-4cm, green to red-brown.

Grows best on well-drained soils. Moderately cold-hardy (-17°C). Propagated by seed, cuttings or suckers. Can be clipped and even coppiced.

No notable associations where introduced.

No specific threats.

A valuable productive species in China, producing highly durable and aromatic timber, similar to Japanese Red Cedar or Coast Redwood. A glaucous ornamental form exists.