Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa, a name derived from the term “Ilha Formosa,” Portuguese for “Beautiful Island,” was sighted by Portugal in 1544, but they made no attempt to settle. The Dutch East India Company was the first to establish a trading settlement in 1624. The Dutch were expelled by the Ming Dynasty in 1662.
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Tsuga formosana - The Chinese hemlock is found in the mixed broadleaf and conifer forests of the southern and central mountains of Taiwan. It grows to heights of 50 meters and is supported by a trunk with a diameter of 2 meters. The seeds develop “wings,” a design feature to allow the seed to be dispersed further away from the parent tree. The bark of the Chinese hemlock has a high concentration of tannin, an ingredient used for the manufacturing of natural dyes. The timber is used in the construction and furniture industry.
