Metasequoia glyptostroboides, commonly known as the dawn redwood, is a deciduous conifer native to China. It was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1940s in a remote area of the country. This tree can grow up to 200 feet tall and has a distinctive pyramidal shape, with soft, feathery leaves that turn a vibrant orange-brown in the fall. The dawn redwood thrives in wet, lowland areas and prefers well-drained soil. It is often planted in parks and gardens for its ornamental value and rapid growth. As a member of the Cupressaceae family, it is closely related to other conifers like sequoias and cypress trees.