CUPRESSACEAE

CYPRESS FAMILY

Jim A. Bartel

Shrub, tree, evergreen, monoecious or dioecious
Leaves cauline, opposite and 4-ranked or whorled in 3's and 6-ranked, generally scale-like, decurrent, completely covering young stems
Pollen cone small, axillary or terminal
Seed cone ± fleshy to woody, generally hard at maturity; scales opposite or whorled
Seeds 1–many per scale, generally angled or winged, generally wind-dispersed
Genera in family: 17 genera, ± 120 species: worldwide; all North America genera cultivated
Reference: [Elias 1980 Complete Trees North America]
Juvenile leaves needle- or awl-like, sometimes present in ± mature plants, especially in response to grazing or infection, especially in Cupressus, Juniperus.

THUJA

ARBORVITAE

Tree, monoecious
Stem: trunk generally flared at base; branches spreading to ± pendent, tips often upturned; young shoots 4-sided, in flat clusters, held horizontally
Leaves opposite, 2-ranked, ± not appearing whorled in 4's, closely appressed, scale-like, exposed part ± as long as wide
Seed cone erect to reflexed, woody, ovoid-oblong, tapered to point, maturing 1st year; scales 4–6 pairs, partly overlapping, sharp-pointed near tip, thin, oblong, acute, leathery, middle 2–3 pairs fertile
Seeds 2 per fertile scale, equally 2-winged; cotyledons 2
Species in genus: 5 species: n North America, e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: resinous tree)

Native

T. plicata D. Don

WESTERN RED CEDAR, CANOE CEDAR

Tree 30–70 m
Stem: bark 1–2 cm thick, cinnamon-red, fibrous; young shoot upper surface glossy dark green, lower surface generally faintly white-streaked
Pollen cone 1.5–2 mm, ovate, dark brown
Seed cone 10–19 mm, light brown
Seed 4–6 mm, narrow, elliptic, light brown
Chromosomes: n=11
Ecology: Coastal conifer forests
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Klamath Ranges, Outer North Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Horticultural information: 4, 5, 6 &IRR: 1, 2, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 &SHD: 3, 8, 9.