竹柏屬常綠喬木，原產中國華中、華南，以及臺灣、日本。樹皮常剝落，露出紫紅色新皮。根有根瘤菌共生。革質長卵形或披針形葉對生或近對生，搓揉有芳香味。雌雄異株，雄花序穗狀腋生，雌花單生於葉腋。種子球形，成熟時深紫色被有白粉。開花期春季，種子成熟秋季。

An evergreen tree in the genus Nageia, native to Central China, South China, and Taiwan and Japan. Bark often exfoliate and reveal reddish-purple inner bark. Roots are symbiotic with rhizobia. Leathery long ovate or lanceolate leaves grow in opposite or nearly opposite arrangement and emit fragrant scent when they are crushed. Flowers are dioecious, spike-like male inflorescences borne on leave axils while axillary female flowers borne solitary. Seeds are in spherical shape, turn darkish purple and are coated with white powder when mature. Bloom in spring and seeds ripen in autumn.

全日照或半日照溫暖環境，具有耐陰性。微酸性或中性肥沃土壤種植。每季施用一次有機肥或長效性肥料。繁殖採用播種法。

It prefers full-sun or partial shade warm environment. Shade resistant. Planted in slightly acidic or neutral fertile soil. Apply organic or long-active fertilizers once every season. Seeding is used to propagate.

葉片濃綠，樹形挺拔，是優良景觀樹種，適合叢植、列植或單植。木材可作為建材或製作船舶、家具、器具及工藝品。種仁可食用或榨油作工業用途。種子可播種育成觀賞小盆栽，適合室內擺放欣賞。

Dense green leaves and upright tree shape make it an excellent landscape tree plant, suitable for clustered, row or single planting. The wood can be used as material of buildings, ships, furniture, appliances and handicrafts. Seed kernels are edible or pressed to extract oil for industrial use. The seeds can also be sown and cultivated to small ornamental potted plants for indoor display.