Mstera

Mstera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ginkgoaceae, comprising a small group of conifers native to the temperate regions of East Asia. The genus was first described in the early 19th century based on fossilized seed cones found in the Tertiary strata of China. Currently, the genus contains three recognized species: Mstera sinensis, Mstera macrantha, and Mstera emarginata. Each species exhibits the distinctive fan‑shaped leaf arrangement typical of ginkgophytes, with leaves that are dissected into lobes and bear a basal resin groove.

The plants are solitary, erect shrubs or small trees reaching up to 5 metres in height. Their bark is reddish-brown and fissured, while the foliage displays a glossy green upper surface and a paler, feathery underside. Flowers are monoecious, with separate male and female structures located on the same individual. Male cones consist of paired scales bearing pollen, whereas female cones are solitary and contain a single seed encased in a leathery pericarp when mature.

Mstera species are adapted to cool, moist climates and are commonly found in forested valleys and wet limestone substrates. They play a role in local ecosystems as a food source for pollinators and as part of the understory vegetation. Conservation status varies by species; Mstera sinensis is considered rare in its native range due to habitat loss, whereas Mstera macrantha has a more stable population. Ongoing botanical surveys aim to clarify the phylogenetic relationships within the family and to assess potential conservation measures.