Cunninghamia is a genus of one[2] or two living species of evergreen coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae.

Cunninghamia bears softly spined, leathery, stiff, green to blue-green needle-like leaves that spiral around the stem with an upward arch; they are 2–7cm long and 3–5mm broad at the base, and bear two white or greenish white stomatal bands underneath and sometimes also above.

[7] Fossil representatives of the subfamily Cunninghamioideae, of which Cunninghamia is the only living member, extend back to the Middle Jurassic.

[13] However, molecular genetic evidence is suggesting that they are the same species, and that C. konishii of Taiwan derive from multiple colonizations from the mainland.

[13] Cunninghamia is a prized timber tree in China, producing soft, highly durable scented wood similar to that of Coast Redwood and Sugi.

[citation needed] Cunninghamia is grown as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, where it typically reaches a height of 15–30 m.[citation needed] Due to its heat tolerance, it has been used as a Christmas tree in subtropical areas such as the southern USA.