View source for Cypress

{{Short description|Genus of plants in the conifer family Pinaceae}}
{{other uses}}{{distinguish|Cyprus}}
'''Cypress''' is a common name for various [[conifer]]ous trees or shrubs from the ''[[Cupressus]]'' [[genus]] of the ''[[Cupressaceae]]'' family, typically found in [[Temperate climate|warm-temperate]] and [[Subtropics|subtropical]] regions of [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Cypress {{!}} Growing, Pruning & Planting Tips {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/plant/cypress |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> 

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== Description ==
Cypress trees typically reach heights of up to {{Convert|25|m|ft}} and exhibit a [[Pyramid|pyramidal]] form, particularly in their youth. Many are characterised by their needle-like, [[evergreen]] foliage and [[acorn]]-like seed cones. Some species develop flattened, spreading heads at maturity, while certain variants may manifest as shrubs, standing at less than {{Convert|6|m|ft}}. The [[Bark (botany)|bark]] of cypress trees varies, with some species having smooth surfaces, while most exhibit bark that separates into thin plates or strips, often shedding over time. Leaves of young cypress trees are spreading and awl-shaped, and are typically small, scale-like formations that tightly adhere to older branches. They are usually [[Aroma compound|aromatic]], with glandular pits on the outer surface, and cover the stem in opposite pairs, giving the branchlet a four-sided appearance.<ref name=":0" />

==Species==
Cypress is any of the twelve species of ornamental and timber [[evergreen]] conifers constituting the genus ''Cupressus'' of the family ''Cupressaceae''. Many [[Resin|resinous]], aromatic evergreen trees called cypress belong to other genera of the same family, especially species of [[false cypress]] and [[Cypress-pine|cypress pine]]. The name ''cypress'' is occasionally used for some species of [[fustic]] and for [[bald cypress]], and it often denotes [[jack pine]] in eastern [[Canada]].<ref name=":0" />

Species that are commonly known as cypresses include:

*Cypress (multiple species within the genus ''Cupressus''):
**''[[Cupressus sempervirens]]'', a common cypress also referred to as Italian cypress and Mediterranean cypress.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Cupressus sempervirens L. GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=12665 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> It is native to the eastern [[Mediterranean region]] and [[Iran]].
**''[[Hesperocyparis lusitanica]]'', commonly known as the Mexican cypress, which is native to [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cupressus lusitanica Mill. var. lusitanica GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=318471 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> 
*''[[Chamaecyparis]]:''
**''[[Chamaecyparis lawsoniana]]'', known as the Lawson's cypress or Port Orford cedar.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl. GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=10064 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> This is a native species to [[Oregon]] and northwestern [[California]].<ref name=":2" />
*''[[Taxodium]]:''
**''[[Taxodium ascendens]]'', commonly known as pond cypress<ref>{{Cite PLANTS|symbol=TAAS|taxon=Taxodium ascendens|access-date=2024-04-28}}</ref> and native to North America.  
**''[[Taxodium distichum]]'', commonly known as bald cypress and native to the southeastern United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taxodium distichum (L |url=https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/taxodium/distichum.htm |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=www.srs.fs.usda.gov}}</ref> 
**''[[Taxodium mucronatum]]'', commonly known as Montezuma cypress or Montezuma bald cypress.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Taxodium mucronatum Ten. GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=80068 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> It is native to Mexico, [[Guatemala]], and southern-central United States.<ref name=":3" /> 
*''[[Calocedrus]]:''
**''[[Calocedrus decurrens]],'' which has the common names bastard-cedar, incense-cedar and California incense cedar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=8615 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> They are native to North America, specifically California, Oregon, [[Nevada]], and Mexico.<ref name=":4" />  
*''[[Thuja]]:''
**''[[Platycladus|Platycladus orientalis]]'' or ''Thuja orientalis,''<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=310211 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> commonly known as Chinese thuja and native to [[China]] and [[Korea]].<ref name=":5" /> 
*''[[Thujopsis]]:''
**''Thujopsis dolabrata'', also known as asunaro and hiba.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Thujopsis dolabrata (Thunb. ex L. f.) Siebold & Zucc. GRIN-Global |url=https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=36596 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=npgsweb.ars-grin.gov}}</ref> This is a native species of [[Japan]].<ref name=":6" /> 

Other species include:

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
*African cypress (''[[Widdringtonia]]'' species), native to Southern Africa<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Pauw|first1=C.A.|last2=Linder|first2=H.P.|year=1997|title=Widdringtonia systematics, ecology and conservation status|journal=Bot. J. Linn. Soc.|volume=123|pages=297–319|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1997.tb01421.x|doi-access=free}}</ref>
*Bald, Pond, and Montezuma cypresses (''[[Taxodium]]'' species), native to North America
*Chinese swamp cypress (''[[Glyptostrobus pensilis]]''), Vietnam, critically endangered<ref>{{Cite iucn | author = Thomas, P. | author2 = Yang, Y. | author3 = Farjon, A. | author4 = Nguyen, D. | author5 = Liao, W. | name-list-style = amp | title = ''Glyptostrobus pensilis'' | volume = 2011 | page = e.T32312A9695181 | date = 2011 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T32312A9695181.en | access-date = 9 January 2018}}</ref>
*Cordilleran cypress (''[[Austrocedrus chilensis]]''), native to Chile and Argentina<ref name=farjon>{{cite book|last=Farjon|first=A.|year=2005|title=Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|isbn=1-84246-068-4}}</ref>
*Cypress-pines (''[[Actinostrobus]]'' species), southwestern Australia<ref>{{Flora of Australia Online|name=Actinostrobus|id=57305}}</ref>
*Cypress-pines (''[[Callitris]]'' species), Australia and New Caledonia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=382326|title=Callitris|work=Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families}}</ref>
*False cypress (''[[Chamaecyparis]]'' species), Asia and North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=382810|title=Chamaecyparis|work=Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families}}</ref>
*Fujian cypress (''[[Fokienia hodginsii]]''), southeastern China<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Thomas, P. |author2=Yang, Y. |date=2013 |title=''Chamaecyparis hodginsii'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T32351A2815809 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T32351A2815809.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
*Guaitecas cypress (''[[Pilgerodendron|Pilgerodendron uviferum]]''), western [[Patagonia]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Luebert |first1=Federico |last2=Pliscoff |first2=Patricio |date=2017|orig-year=2006 |title=Sinopsis bioclimática y vegetacional de Chile|edition=2nd |location=[[Santiago|Santiago de Chile]] |publisher=[[Editorial Universitaria]] |pages=192–195 and 208–209|isbn=978-956-11-2575-9 |language=es }}</ref> and [[Tierra del Fuego]]<ref name=farjon/>
*Japanese cypress (''[[Chamaecyparis obtusa]]''), East Asia
*Patagonian cypress (''[[Fitzroya cupressoides]]''), southern Chile and Argentina
*Mediterranean cypress (''[[Cupressus sempervirens]]''), famous for its longevity, popular garden plant
*Monterey cypress (''[[Cupressus macrocarpa]]''), native to the [[Monterey Peninsula]], California<ref>{{cite web|first1=C. Michael|last1=Hogan|first2=Michael P.|last2=Frankis|year=2009|url=http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=62524|title=Monterey Cypress: Cupressus macrocarpa|publisher=GlobalTwitcher.com|access-date=2017-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906035305/http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_information.asp?thingid=62524|archive-date=2017-09-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Nootka cypress (''[[Cupressus nootkatensis]]''), native to the Pacific Northwest of North America<ref>{{Cite PLANTS |date=2015 |symbol=CUNO|taxon=Cupressus nootkatensis}}</ref>
*Siberian cypress (''[[Microbiota decussata]]'')
*Summer cypress (''[[Bassia scoparia]]''), in the family [[Amaranthaceae]]
*Western red cedar (''[[Thuja plicata]]''), native to North America.
{{div col end}}

{{center|'''Plants named cypress'''}}
<gallery mode="packed" widths="140px" heights="140px">
File:Actinostrobos arenarius fruits murchison.JPG|''Actinostrobus arenarius''
File:Austrocedrus chilensis por pabloendemico - 001.jpg|''Austrocedrus chilensis''
File:Slender Cypress-pine.jpg|''Callitris preissii''
File:Chamaecyparis Pisifera bonsai.JPG|''[[Chamaecyparis pisifera]]'', [[bonsai]]
File:Lone Cypress Sunset.JPG|''Cupressus macrocarpa'', [[Monterey Peninsula]], California
File:Nootka Cypress.jpg|''Cupressus nootkatensis''
File:Flickr - lo.tangelini - i.jpg|''Cupressus sempervirens'' (Mediterranean Cypress), [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]]
File:Fokienia hodginsii - Kunming Botanical Garden - DSC03140.JPG|''Fokienia hodginsii''
File:Fitzroya cupressoides (da Silvio Rossi).jpg|''Fitzroya cupressoides''
File:Glyptostrobus pensilis 2007.06.28 10.10.35-p6280031.jpg|''Glyptostrobus pensilis'' foliage
File:Pilgerodendron uviferum.jpg|''[[Pilgerodendron uviferum]]''
File:Taxodium ascendens in the Black Water, Okefenokee.jpg|''Taxodium ascendens'', [[Okefenokee Swamp]], Georgia (USA)
File:Widdringtonia whytei Mulanje Malawi.jpg|''[[Widdringtonia whytei]]'', [[Malawi]]
</gallery>

== Etymology ==
The word ''cypress'' is derived from [[Old French]] ''cipres'', which was imported from [[Latin]] ''cypressus'', the [[Latinisation (literature)|latinisation]] of the [[Greek language|Greek]] κυπάρισσος (''[[kyparissos]]'').<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dkupa%2Frissos κυπάρισσος], 
Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus Digital Library</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cypress |website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref>

== Symbology ==
In [[Greek mythology]], ''Cyparissos'', ''Cyparissus'' or ''Kyparissos'' ([[Ancient Greek]]: Κυπάρισσος, "cypress") was a male lover of [[Apollo]],<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Parry |first=Katy |date=2022-01-14 |title=Cupressus sempervirens |url=https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/cupressus-sempervirens/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Chelsea Physic Garden |language=en-GB}}</ref> as well as other [[Deity|deities]] in other versions of mythology. 

In the most prevalent version of the story, Cyparissus receives a [[stag]] as a gift from Apollo, which he accidentally kills with a spear while hunting in the forest. Cyparissus is overwhelmed by pain and sorrow, and asks Apollo to allow his tears to flow for eternity. Apollo transforms Cyparissus into a cypress tree, and the [[sap]] that typically drips down the tree's trunk represents Cyparissus' tears.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=24/7 Emergency Care in Cypress: Fairfield Emergency Room |url=https://fairfieldemergencyroom.com/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Fairfield Emergency Room}}</ref> 

Consequently, the cypress emerged as a symbol of mourning, sadness, and loss in [[classical mythology]], thereby serving an [[aetiological]] purpose in explaining its cultural significance.<ref name=":7" /> Due to its connection to grief, the cypress became one of the symbols of [[Hades]] and has been planted in cemeteries since the [[classical era]]. During the [[Renaissance]] period, the myth of ''Kyparissos'' was revived, and is depicted in several works of art and poetry.<ref name=":7" />

==See also==
* [[Cypress forest]]
* [[Hyrcanian forest]]
* [[Pine-cypress forest]]

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{Plant common name}}

[[Category:Cupressaceae]]
[[Category:Symbols of Hades]]