Obtusa Var Research Articles

Antifungal Activity of Cedrol from Cunninghamia lanceolate var. konishii against Phellinus noxius and Its Mechanism.

Phellinus noxius is a highly destructive fungus that causes brown root disease in trees, leading to decay and death. In Taiwan, five prized woods-Taiwania cryptomerioides, Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana, Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii, Chamaecyparis formosensis, and Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana-are known for their fragrance and durability. This study aims to explore the anti-brown-root-rot-fungus activity of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii (CL) essential oil (CLOL) and its primary components, while also delving into their mechanisms of action and inhibition pathways. The essential oil (CLOL) from CL wood demonstrated significant efficacy against P. noxius, with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 37.5 µg/mL. Cedrol, the major component (78.48%) in CLOL, emerged as a potent antifungal agent, surpassing the reference drug triflumizole. Further assays with cedrol revealed a stronger anti-brown-root-disease activity (IC50 = 15.7 µg/mL) than triflumizole (IC50 = 32.1 µg/mL). Scanning electron microscopy showed deformation and rupture of fungal hyphae treated with CLOL and cedrol, indicating damage to the fungal cell membrane. Cedrol-induced oxidative stress in P. noxius was evidenced by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leading to DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, and fungal apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Gel electrophoresis confirmed cedrol-induced DNA fragmentation, whereas TUNEL staining demonstrated increased apoptosis with rising cedrol concentrations. Moreover, protein expression analysis revealed cedrol-triggered release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9, and subsequent caspase-3 activation, initiating a caspase cascade reaction. This groundbreaking study establishes cedrol as the first compound to induce apoptosis in P. noxius while inhibiting its growth through oxidative stress, an increase in mitochondrial membrane permeability, and activation of the mitochondrial pathway. The findings offer compelling evidence for cedrol's potential as an effective antifungal agent against the destructive brown root disease caused by P. noxius.

Antifungal Potential and Chemical Composition of Chamaecyparis formosensis and Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana Essential Oils in Liquid and Vapor Phases Against 4 Fungal Species

Background Only a few studies have investigated the bioactivity of the essential oils (EOs) of Chamaecyparis formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana, which are endemic to Taiwan. The wood and leaf EOs extracted from C. obtusa var. formosana had anti-inflammatory and antitermitic effects, respectively, and the twig EO extracted from C. formosensis inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Pestalotiopsis funerea, and Ganoderma australe. Methods A poisoned food technique was used to evaluate the antifungal effects of wood and leaf EOs extracted from C. formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana on brown rot fungus, white rot fungus, and mold. A phytatray chamber assay was conducted to investigate the antifungal activities of the EOs in the vapor phase. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to examine the chemical constituents of both EOs. Results The leaf EO extracted from C. formosensis primarily contained monoterpene hydrocarbons, whereas the leaf EO extracted from C. obtusa var. formosana primarily contained monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The wood EOs extracted from C. formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana primarily contained sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. These results indicated that the wood EOs had higher antifungal activity in the liquid phase, whereas the leaf EOs had higher antifungal activity in the vapor phase. Conclusion Wood EOs extracted from C. formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana have strong antifungal effects against Gloeophyllum trabeum, Lenzites betulina, Trametes versicolor, and Trichoderma sp. Compared with wood EOs, leaf EOs have a greater inhibitory effect on mycelial growth in the vapor phase. In both the liquid and vapor phases, the EOs extracted from C. formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana serve as effective antifungal agents against pathogenic fungi. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antifungal activities of EOs in different phases and explore their potential applications.

Chemotaxonomic identification of Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsumura and Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana (Hayata) Rehder using characteristic compounds of wood essential oils

Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsumura and C. obtusa var. formosana (Hayata) Rehder are important, precious, and well-known species grown in Asia. Renowned for excellent natural durability, their wood logs are regularly used as quality building materials or furniture. However, these two species have similar appearances, e.g., leaf, twig, wood, hardly distinguishable by the naked eye. The purpose of the present study is to phytochemically differentiate these two species using volatile compounds from the woods. Wood essential oils were obtained by 6-h hydrodistillation. The chemical composition was identified by GC-MS, and semi-quantification was carried out to determine the content of each compound. Furthermore, compounds with a significantly higher content than those of the other species were screened by t-test and principal component analysis (PCA). Results from semi-quantification and t-test showed that C. formosensis contained higher content of cis-myrtanol (ratio 37.1 ± 19.8), chamaecynone (11.0 ± 6.7), and α-eudesmol (8.5 ± 7.9), while C. obtusa var. formosana comprised mainly of α-terpineol (30.2 ± 10.1) and borneol (24.0 ± 16.1). Moreover, PCA results showed that the representative compounds of C. formosensis were cis-myrtanol and chamaecynone, while those of C. obtusa var. formosana were α-terpineol, borneol, and α-cadinol. Taken together, the above-mentioned results suggested significant compositional differences between these two species. For distinguishing the two kinds of wood, C. formosensis should be easily identified by its two characteristic compounds: cis-myrtanol and chamaecynone; while C. obtusa var. formosana could also be distinguished by its characteristic compounds: α-terpineol and borneol.

Correction: Wu et al. Secondary Metabolites with Antimicrobial Activities from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana. Molecules 2022, 27, 429

The authors wish to make the following changes to their paper [...].

Changes in Soil Microbial Community and Carbon Flux Regime across a Subtropical Montane Peatland-to-Forest Successional Series in Taiwan

Subtropical montane peatland is among several rare ecosystems that continue to receive insufficient scientific exploration. We analyzed the vegetation types and soil bacterial composition, as well as surface carbon dioxide and methane fluxes along a successional peatland-to-upland-forest series in one such ecosystem in Taiwan. The Yuanyang Lake (YYL) study site is characterized by low temperature, high precipitation, prevailing fog, and acidic soil, which are typical conditions for the surrounding dominant Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana forest. Bacterial communities were dominated by Acidobacteriota and Proteobacteria. Along the bog-to-forest gradient, Proteobacteria decreased and Acidobacteriota increased while CO2 fluxes increased and CH4 fluxes decreased. Principal coordinate analysis allowed separating samples into four clusters, which correspond to samples from the bog, marsh, forest, and forest outside of the watershed. The majority of bacterial genera were found in all plots, suggesting that these communities can easily switch to other types. Variation among samples from the same vegetation type suggests influence of habitat heterogeneity on bacterial community composition. Variations of soil water content and season caused the variations of carbon fluxes. While CO2 flux decreased exponentially with increasing soil water content, the CH4 fluxes exhibited an exponential increase together with soil water content. Because YYL is in a process of gradual terrestrialization, especially under the warming climate, we expect changes in microbial composition and the greenhouse gas budget at the landscape scale within the next decades.

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds and Protein Expressions of Chamaecyparis formosensis and Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana Leaves under Different Light Intensities and Temperatures.

Both Chamaecyparis formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana are representative cypresses of high economic value in Taiwan, the southernmost subtropical region where cypresses are found. Both species show differences of their habitats. To find out the effects of environmental factors on the CO2 assimilation rate and the biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emission of both species, saplings from both species were grown under different light intensity and temperature regimes. The results indicated that the net CO2 assimilation rates and total BVOC emission rates of both species increased with increasing light intensity. C. formosensis showed a higher magnitude of change, but C. obtusa var. formosana had considerably increased sesquiterpenoid and diterpenoid emission in BVOC under high light intensity. Both species grown under higher temperatures had significantly lower BVOC emission rates. Proteomic analyses revealed that compared to C. formosensis saplings, C. obtusa var. formosana saplings had less differentially expressed proteins in terms of protein species and fold changes in response to the growth conditions. These proteins participated mainly in photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, amino acid and protein processing, signal transduction, and stress mechanisms. These proteins might be the major regulatory factors affecting BVOC emission of these two species under different environments.

Secondary Metabolites with Antimicrobial Activities from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana.

Seven new compounds, including one dimer novel skeleton, chamaecyformosanin A (1); three diterpenes, chamaecyformosanins B–D (2–4); one sesquiterpene, chamaecyformosanin E (5); and two monoterpenes, chamaecyformosanins F and G (6 and 7) were isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana. Their structures were established by the mean of spectroscopic analysis and the comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence, in-depth NMR spectroscopic analysis, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were subjected to an evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. Metabolites 1, 3, and 4 present antibacterial activities. It is worth mentioning that the chemical composition of the bark of C. obtusa var. formosana has never been studied in the past. This is the first time the barks from C. obtusa var. formosana were studied and two new skeleton compounds, 1 and 7, were obtained.

Genome skimming and exploration of DNA barcodes for Taiwan endemic cypresses

Cypresses are characterized by their longevity and valuable timber. In Taiwan, two endemic cypress species, Chamaecyparis formosensis and C. obtusa var. formosana, are threatened by prevalent illegal logging. A DNA barcode system is urgently needed for reforestation and conservation of these two cypresses. In this study, both plastomes and 35S rDNAs from 16, 10, and 6 individuals of C. formosensis, C. obtusa var. formosana, and C. obtusa var. obtusa were sequenced, respectively. We show that the loss of plastid trnT-GGU readily distinguishes C. formosensis from its congeneric species. We demonstrate that entire sequences of plastomes or 35S rDNAs are capable of correctly identifying cypress species and varieties, suggesting that they are effective super-barcodes. We also discover three short hypervariable loci (i.e., 3′ETS, ITS1, and trnH-psbA) that are promising barcodes for identifying cypress species and varieties. Moreover, nine species-specific indels of > 100 bp were detected in the cypress plastomes. These indels, together with the three aforementioned short barcodes, constitute an alternative and powerful barcode system crucial for identifying specimens that are fragmentary or contain degraded/poor DNA. Our sequenced data and barcode systems not only enrich the genetic reference for cypresses, but also contribute to future reforestation, conservation, and forensic investigations.

Hypoglycemic activity of extracts of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana leaf in rats with hyperglycemia induced by high-fat diets and streptozotocin

Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana is a species indigenous to Taiwan and has been used as a medicinal plant. It has been claimed that the hot water extracts of C. obtusa var. formosana leaves (CoLE) with flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities in vitro. This study further examines the anti-hyperglycemic activity of CoLE and its possible mechanisms in hyperglycemic rats. Hyperglycemia of rats was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and high-fat diets (HFD). Hyperglycemic rats treated orally with 30 and 150 mg/kg CoLE were classified into LCO and HCO groups, respectively. After three-month treatment, both LCO and HCO groups showed improved glucose metabolism in oral glucose tolerance and postprandial blood glucose tests. Decrease in HOMA-IR, leptin and adiponectin levels of the HCO group revealed amelioration of insulin and leptin resistance. Obesity and accumulation of visceral fats induced by STZ and HFD could be alleviated in both HCO and LCO groups. These anti-diabetic effects might be contributed by inhibition of intestinal digested enzymes and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Although other studies are necessary, these findings suggest that CoLE could be potentially used as a health complement for treating diabetes without significant toxicity.

Profiling of volatile compounds from five interior decoration timbers in Taiwan using TD/GC–MS/FID

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from Chamaecyparis formosensis, Cryptomeria japonica, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, and Taiwania cryptomerioides five major building and interior decoration timbers and their essential oil components were analyzed using GC–MS and TD/GC–MS/FID. Results showed that C. obtusa var. formosana had the highest yield of essential oil (3.42%), followed by C. formosensis (3.14%), while C. japonica had the lowest yield (0.95%). Moreover, oxygenated sesquiterpene was the highest relative content in all five essential oils and their main constituents were trans-myrtanol (18.04%), 1-epi-cubenol (15.99%), cedrol (62.26%), α-cadinol (26.42%), and α-cadinol (27.98%), respectively. In terms of emission quantity of top VOC, the results showed the decreasing order of C. formosensis (myrtenal, 74.21 mg/m2) > T. cryptomerioides (thujopsene, 12.00 mg/m2) > C. lanceolata (α-cedrene, 10.27 mg/m2) > C. obtusa var. formosana (α-pinene, 8.05 mg/m2) > C. japonica (α-cedrene, 4.25 mg/m2). C. formosensis had a greater amount of VOCs emitted and hence gave off more fragrance than C. obtusa var. formosana initially. However, after indoor exposure of 24 weeks, the VOC emission quantity of C. obtusa var. formosana exceeded that of C. formosensis. α-Cedrene and thujopsene were the top two major VOCs of both C. lanceolata and T. cryptomerioides. However, they both showed a trend of decrease in emission with prolonged exposure. All five plantation timbers showed good antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antitermitic properties, making them ideal materials for interior decoration. Not only do they have strong bioactivities, they can also provide a fragrant and healthy living environment.

Isolation and characterization of SSR and EST-SSR loci in Chamaecyparis formosensis (Cupressaceae).

Premise of the StudySimple sequence repeat (SSR) and expressed sequence tag (EST)–SSR markers were developed as tools for marker‐assisted selection of Chamaecyparis formosensis and for the molecular differentiation of cypress species.Methods and ResultsBased on the SSR‐enriched genomic libraries and transcriptome data of C. formosensis, 300 primer pairs were selected for initial confirmation, of which 19 polymorphic SSR and eight polymorphic EST‐SSR loci were chosen after testing in 92 individuals. The number of alleles observed for these 27 loci ranged from one to 17. The levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.000 to 0.903, respectively. Most markers also amplified in C. obtusa var. formosana.ConclusionsThe developed SSR and EST‐SSR sequences are the first reported markers specific to C. formosensis. These markers will be useful for individual identification of C. formosensis and to distinguish cypress species such as C. obtusa var. formosana.

Cross‐Cultural Analysis of Medicinal Plants commonly used in Ethnoveterinary Practices at South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn remote areas, medicinal plants have an imperative role in curing various livestock's ailments. In Pakistan, people residing in remote areas including South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency depend on traditional herbal remedies for treating their domestic animals. Medicinal plants are an important part of the medical system in these Agencies. The prime goal of the current study is to explore the ethnoveterinary practices in the two regions and discuss cross-cultural consensus on the use of medicinal plants. In this study, we have given detailed description on the ethnoveterinary usage of certain medicinal plants and their recipes. Moreover, we have also elaborated the ethnoveterinary potential of certain plants in relation to their ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and phytochemicals reports. MethodologyFieldwork comprised of two fields surveys conducted at South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency. A total of 75 informants from South Waziristan Agency and 80 informants from Bajaur Agency were interviewed with the help of semi-structured questionnaires. Use reports (URs) were recorded for all the documented taxa. Data were quantitatively analyzed by using informant consensus factor (Fic) index in order to find out information homogeneity provided by the informants. To analyze the cross-cultural consensus, the recorded data were tabulated as well as shown by Venn diagram. ResultsOverall, 94 medicinal plant taxa were recorded in the comparative analysis. Out of these, most of the plants species (72 species) were used at Bajaur Agency than South Waziristan Agency (37 species). Cross-cultural analysis showed that only 15 medicinal plants were used in common by the indigenous communities in both Agencies, which indicates a low interregional consensus with regard to the ethnoveterinary practices of medicinal plants. Apiaceae was the dominant family in both regions by representing maximum number of plant species (11 species). Gastro intestinal complexities were common in both regions having higher Fic values (above 90). Moreover, the current investigation reported new ethnoveterinary uses of medicinal plants from South Waziristan Agency, which were Sideroxylon mascatense, Raphanus sativus, Salix babylonica, Solanum nigrum, Sophora mollis, Taraxacum campylodes and Tulipa stellata. On the other hand from Bajaur Agency, Boerhavia erecta, Celtis australis, Chamaecyparis obtusa var. obtuse, Eryngium biehersteinianum, Gossypium arboreum, Narcissus tazetta, Opuntia littoralis, Streblus asper were reported with new ethnoveterinary uses. ConclusionsThe current study has an important contribution towards the preservation of indigenous plants’ based knowledge. Several plants are carrying important ethnoveterinary uses being practiced by the local people mostly against the gastrointestinal disorders in both regions. Importantly, the cross-cultural approach has reported some new traditional uses of plants against livestock's diseases. Hence, this is an opportunity to investigate such plants phytopharmacologically and toxicologically for the discovery of new drug sources.

Rapid Discrimination and Feature Extraction of Three Chamaecyparis Species by Static-HS/GC–MS

This study aimed to develop a rapid and accurate analytical method for discriminating three Chamaecyparis species (C. formosensis, C. obtusa, and C. obtusa var. formosana) that could not be easily distinguished by volatile compounds. A total of 23 leaf samples from three species were analyzed by static-headspace (static-HS) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The static-HS procedure, whose experimental parameters were properly optimized, yielded a high Pearson correlation-based similarity between essential oil and VOC composition (r = 0.555-0.999). Thirty-six major constituents were identified; along with the results of cluster analysis (CA), a large variation in contents among the three different species was observed. Principal component analysis (PCA) methods illustrated graphically the relationships between characteristic components and tree species. It was clearly demonstrated that the static-HS-based procedure enhanced greatly the speed of precise analysis of chemical fingerprint in small sample amounts, thus providing a fast and reliable tool for the prediction of constituent characteristics in essential oil, and also offering good opportunities for studying the role of these feature compounds in chemotaxonomy or ecophysiology.

Reconstruction of the springtime East Asian Subtropical Jet and Western Pacific pattern from a millennial-length Taiwanese tree-ring chronology

The East Asian subtropical jet (EAJ) and the closely related Western Pacific pattern (WP) are among the most important features in global atmospheric dynamics, but little is known about their long-term variability. This study presents reconstructions of the Spring EAJ index (EAJI) and the Spring WP index (WPI) based on significant relationships identified between mean values for these features and a millennial length tree-ring width chronology of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, a high-mountain cloud forest species from northeastern Taiwan. Tree-ring based reconstructions of high pass filtered versions of the EAJI and WPI (EAJI 5YR and WPI 5YR) presented herein explain 42 and 31 % of the WPI 5YR and EAJI 5YR, respectively, and display acceptable reliability back to A.D. 1237. A significant trend present in the long-term variance of the reconstructed EAJI and WPI after A.D. 1860 suggests long-term increasing variability in the spring mean latitudinal placement and/or the strength/breadth of the EAJ core region near Taiwan and Japan and in the trajectory of the EAJ over the North Pacific. Related features affected by changes in the EAJ include the North Pacific storm track and Asian Dust transport.

ChemInform Abstract: Sesquiterpenoids and Diterpenes from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii.

AbstractFour new sesquiterpenoids (I)‐(III) are isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var.

Antioxidant activity and delayed aging effects of hot water extract from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana leaves.

The antioxidant activity and delayed aging effects of hot water extracts from leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana were investigated. Free radical, superoxide radical scavenging, and total phenolic content assays were employed to evaluate the in vitro activities of the extracts. In addition, in vivo assays using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans were also performed in this study. The results showed that among all soluble fractions obtained from the extracts, the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction has the best in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities. Moreover, it decreased significantly the deposition of lipofuscin (aging pigment) and extended the lifespan of C. elegans. Bioactivity-guided fractionation yielded six potent antioxidant constituents from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction, namely, catechin, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnoyranoside, myricetin-3-O-α-rhamnoyranoside, vanillic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Quercetin-3-O-α-rhamnoyranoside pretreatment showed the highest survival of C. elegans upon juglone exposure. Taken together, the results revealed that hot water extracts from C. obtusa var. formosana leaves have the potential to be used as a source for antioxidant or delayed aging health food.

Sesquiterpenoids and Diterpenes from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii

Four new sesquiterpenoids, 1α-hydroxymethyl-3β-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-ionol (1), 1α-hydroxymethyl- 3β-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-ionol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (1α,5β,7β)-3,10(14)-guaiadien- 11,12-diol (3), and (6S)-13-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-abscisic acid (4), together with 10 known sesquiterpenoids and 5 diterpenes were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii. Their structures were mainly determined on the basis of MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral evidence. Compound 13-epi-toruolsol (17) showed cytotoxicities against BGC-823 and Hela cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 23.0 and 49:9 μM, and compound 3-epitriptobenzene B (19) showed cytotoxicities against BGC-823, Hela and A549 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 19.1, 30.3 and 24:5 μM, respectively

A New Lignan Glycoside from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii

A new lignan glycoside, (-)-(8S, 8'R)-thujastandin-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), together with fourteen known lignanoids (2-15) and one coumarin (16) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. Compound 16 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549, BGC-823 and Hela cell lines with IC50 values of 25.9, 20.9 and 18.5 microM, respectively.

A New Phenolic Glycoside from Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii

A new phenolic glycoside, 3-methoxyphenol 1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the 90% acetone extract of the branches and leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. breviramea f. crippsii along with another 10 known phenolics 2–11. Their structures were determined mainly by means of MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR data. Cytotoxicities of compounds 3 and 5–11 were tested on BGC-823, Hela and A549 cancer cell lines, the results showed that compound 8 was bioactive and its IC50 values were 6.9, 29.7 and 52.9 μM, respectively.

Does canopy wetness matter? Evapotranspiration from a subtropical montane cloud forest in Taiwan

Evapotranspiration (ET) and canopy wetness were measured over a 2-year intensive field campaign at the Chi-Lan Mountain cloud forest site in Taiwan. Eddy covariance and sap flow methods were applied to measure ET and tree sap flow of the endemic yellow cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana). ET was 553 mm yr−1 over the study period with an annual rainfall and fog deposition of 4893 and 288 mm yr–1, respectively. The duration of canopy wetness exceeded actual fog or rain events (mostly in the afternoon), and the intercepted water was evaporated later in the following dry morning. The cumulative wet duration accounted for 52% of time over the study period, which was longer than the duration of rainfall and fog altogether (41%). As it adapted to the extremely moist environment, the yellow cypress behaved in a wet-enhanced/dry-reduced water use strategy and was sensitive to short periods of dry atmosphere with high evaporation potential. During dry days, the sap flow rate rose quickly after dawn and led to conservative water use through midday and the afternoon. During periodically wet days, the canopy was mostly wetted in the morning, and the interception evaporation contributed largely to the morning ET. The initiation of morning sap flow was postponed 1–3 h, and the sap flow rate tended to peak later at midday. The midday canopy conductance was higher in the periodically wet days (10.6 mm s–1) as compared with 7.6 mm s−1 in the dry days. Consequently, the dry-reduced water use strategy led to much lower annual ET with respect to the available energy (~46%) and high precipitation input (~11%). The moist-adapted ecohydrology we report reveals the vulnerability of montane cloud forests to prolonged fog-free periods. More research is urgently needed to better understand the resilience of these ecosystems and formulate adaptive management plans. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.