The fossil Metasequoia, Taxodiaceae, occurs in the upper Cretaceous and Tertiary of Northern Hemisphere. The Paleogene records are widely distributed in mid to high latitudes (N 40°-80°) except for eastern America and Europe. In the late Miocene, they were restricted to the area including Alaska, Kamchatka, and eastern Asia. The Pliocene and Early Pleistocene records are known only from Japan. The occurrence of fossil assemblages shows that Metasequoia constructed swamp forest in fluvial plains. The extant wild habitat of Metasequoia glyptostroboides restricted in the wet places in the valley bottom and backmarsh of the river. The fast growth and photophilous habit of the seedlings indicate Metasequoia is a pioneer plant.