Cupressus

The Genus Cupressus is one of four within the Family Cupressaceae that have the common name cypress - the others being the superficially similar Chamaecyparis, and the rather less similar Taxodium and Glyptostrobus.

The number of species recognised within this genus varies sharply, from 12 to 24 according to the authority followed. This fact is because most populations are small and isolated, and it is difficult to be sure whether they should be accorded specific or subspecific rank. Current tendencies are to reduce the number of recognised species; when a narrow species concept is adopted, the following additional species may be accepted:

• Cupressus arizonica - Arizona cypress
  • Cupressus glabra (C. arizonica var. glabra) - Smooth Arizona cypress
  • Cupressus montana (C. arizonica var. montana) - San Pedro Martir cypress
  • Cupressus nevadensis (C. arizonica var. nevadensis) - Piute cypress
  • Cupressus stephensonii (C. arizonica var. stephensonii) - Cuyamaca cypress

• Cupressus dupreziana - Saharan cypress
  • Cupressus atlantica (C. dupreziana var. atlantica) - Moroccan cypress

• Cupressus goveniana - Gowen cypress
  • Cupressus pygmaea (C. goveniana var. pygmaea) - Mendocino cypress
  • Cupressus abramsiana (C. goveniana var. abramsiana) - Santa Cruz cypress

• Cupressus guadalupensis - Guadalupe cypress
  • Cupressus forbesii (C. guadalupensis var. forbesii) - Tecate cypress

• Cupressus lusitanica - Mexican cypress
  • Cupressus benthamii (C. lusitanica var. benthamii) - Bentham's cypress

Cupressus species are found in warm temperate regions in the northern hemisphere, such as western North American and Central America, north-west Africa, the Middle East, Himalayan regions, southern China and north Vietnam. They are evergreen trees or large bushes. Many species are grown as decorative trees in parks and, in Asia, around temples. A few species are grown for their timber, which can be very durable. The fast-growing hybrid Leyland cypress, much used in gardens, draws one of its parents from this genus (the Monterey cypress, C. macrocarpa); the other parent, the Nootka cypress or Alaska "cedar", is now also classified in this genus, or the new genus Xanthocyparis, but in the past more usually in Chamaecyparis.

Referenced By