Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani
In the Papa Albani garden of Villa Miralfiore stands a magnificent specimen of Cedrus libani, or Cedar of Lebanon, planted in the 19th century.
This tree, native to the Middle East, can grow up to 40 meters tall with a broad, horizontal canopy and short, dark needles.
Introduced to Europe in the 17th century, the Cedar of Lebanon is valued for its ornamental and cultural significance. Visible in historical photographs from the early 20th century, it is now a fundamental element of the garden’s structure.
The cones (strobili) take more than two years to mature, eventually forming the classic barrel-shaped cones, identical to those of other cedar species.
The leaves are needles arranged in rosettes, similar to those of the larch, with a bright green color (dark green when older) and whitish stripes running lengthwise, which are more or less noticeable. Short, stiff, and sharp, they are quite different from the deodara's needles, which are long, thin, and relatively soft.
