Metasequoia is a conifer from the Cupressaceae family. The glypostroboides species is the only one of the genus, which is considered to be a living fossil. Believed to be extinct, it was rediscovered in China in 1941. Since, it has largely spread to parks and arboretums. Its regular conical form gets larger with age and it sheds its reddish-brown bark. Its supple bright green deciduous foliage takes on a bronze colour in autumn. In prefers damp soil in a sunny position.