by Laura
Davis, Native Plants Class 2002
Common name: Arizona Cypress, Arizona Smooth Cypress
Family: Cupressaceae
Synonymy: Cupressus glabra
Etymology: The genus Cupressus is the Latin and Greek
word representing the Italian Cypress, Cupressus sempervirens (2), and
the epithet, arizonica, refers to the state in which it is found (6).
Identification
Growth form: Cuppressus arizonica spp. arizonica
is an evergreen conical or rounded shaped tree which may reach the height
of 90 ft but is usually 40 ft tall, with a diameter that may reach 5
½' but which is usually two feet (3).
Roots:
Stem: The outer bark shreds to leave the smooth, dark
reddish inner bark exposed (3)
Leaves: The leaves of Cupressus arizonica spp.arizonica
are similar to juniper leaves (2), they are pale bluish green, thick,
resinous, pointed leaves (3).
Inflorescence/flowers:
Fruit: The cones are hard, woody (5), reddish brown,
with wedged-shaped scales and about an inch in diameter (3). The cones
open and persist on the tree for a few years (3).
Wood: The wood is lightweight, light brown in color and moderately soft
(5).
Similar species: The Cupressus arizonica spp. arizonica
is said to be a subspecies of Cupressus arizonica (4), and
is treated as such here. The C. arizonica var. arizonica is
distinguished from C. arizonica by the smoother outer bark,
which sheds, peels and exposes the inner bark on saplings, smaller trees
and older trees (1,5). The bark of C. arizonica differs on
mature trees (1,5). See Distribution.
Ecology
Life history: The trees are rarely older than 700 years (6).
Native/introduced: Native
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: The cones are on stout pedicels, which mature at
the end of the second year and are filled with numerous dark reddish
brown, oblong to triangular, narrowly winged seeds (6).
Distribution: Cupressus arizonica spp. arizonica
is found in Arizona between 3000 to 5000" below the Mogollon Rim
in Yavapai, southern Coconino and Gila counties, with stands in Sedona
and at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon (1). Cupressus arizonica
is thought to be more widely distributed though out southeastern Arizona,
the canyons of the Continental Divide in southwestern New Mexico, southwestern
Texas and Mexico (1,5). The Cupressus are believed to be narrow endemics,
relics around the rim of the Colorado Basin (1).
Uses
The leaves of the Cupressus arizonica spp. arizonica are antifungal
(4). The wood has been used for fence post (1). The tree is cultivated
in warm and dry areas of the world (5).
References
1.
Benson, L. and R. A. Darrow, 1981. Trees and Shrubs of the Southwestern
Deserts, University of Arizona Press, Tucson.
2. Elmore, F.H., 1976. Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands, Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, Tucson, Arizona.
3. Epple, A.O. and
L.E. Eppel, 1995. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona, Falcon Publishing
Co., Helena, Montana.
