Metasequoia (
dawn redwood) is a fast-growing,
deciduous tree, and the sole living species,
Metasequoia glyptostroboides, is one of three species of
conifers known as redwoods. It is native to
Lichuan county in the
Hubei province of
China. Although the least tall of the redwoods, it grows to at least 200 feet (60 meters) in height. Local villagers refer to the original tree from which most others derive as
Shui-sa, or "water fir", which is part of a local shrine. Since that tree's rediscovery in 1944, the dawn redwood has become a popular ornamental.