Cypress (Family Cupressaceae)

The Cupressaceae or Cypress Family is a conifer family with world-

wide distribution. The family includes 27 to 30 genera with about

130-140 species. They are monoecious, subdioecious or (rarely)

dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m (3-379 ft) tall.

Many of the species are important timber sources, especially in the
genera Calocedrus, Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria, Cunninghamia,
Cupressus, Sequoia, Taxodium, and Thuja. These and several other
genera are also important in horticulture. Junipers are among the

most important evergreen shrubs, groundcovers and small evergreen

trees, with hundreds of cultivars selected, including plants with blue,

grey, or yellow foliage. Chamaecyparis and Thuja also provide

hundreds of dwarf cultivars as well as trees, including Lawson's

cypress and the infamous hybrid Leyland cypress. Dawn redwood

is widely planted as an ornamental tree because of its excellent

horticultural qualities, rapid growth and status as a living fossil.

Giant sequoia is a popular ornamental tree and is occasionally

grown for timber. Giant sequoia, Leyland cypress, and Arizona

cypress are grown to a small extent as Christmas trees.

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