Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica, Farjon, A. In: A Handbook of the World’s Conifers. Vol. 1 & 2. E. J. Brill, Leiden & Boston. 1112 pp. (2010).)

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: Greene

Bibliography: Farjon, A. In: A Handbook of the World’s Conifers. Vol. 1 & 2. E. J. Brill, Leiden & Boston. 1112 pp. (2010).

Year: Unknown

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cupressus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Unknown

Description

Arizona cypress, scientifically known as Cupressus arizonica, is a coniferous species belonging to the Cupressaceae family. This hardy tree is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it thrives in arid, rocky soils and mountainous regions.

Characterized by its striking blue-green to silvery foliage, the Arizona cypress is an evergreen conifer that can reach heights of 50 to 80 feet with a spread of 15 to 25 feet. The bark of mature trees is thick and fibrous, often peeling off in strips to reveal a reddish-brown inner layer. This unique feature adds to the tree’s ornamental appeal, making it a popular choice for landscape use.

The Arizona cypress produces small, rounded cones that are typically about an inch in diameter. These cones mature over two years, changing color from green to brown, and contain seeds that are dispersed by wind. The tree’s dense foliage provides excellent cover and nesting habitats for various bird species, while its aromatic wood is resistant to decay, making it valuable for multiple uses, including fencing and construction.

Adaptable to both dry and moderately moist conditions, the Arizona cypress is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can also tolerate poor soil conditions. This resilience makes it an excellent candidate for conservation projects aimed at preventing soil erosion and revitalizing degraded landscapes.

Given its durability and aesthetic qualities, the Arizona cypress is not only an important ecological asset but also an attractive, low-maintenance choice for gardeners and landscapers. Whether used as a specimen tree, in windbreaks, or as part of a mixed planting, Cupressus arizonica stands out for its beauty and practicality in various environmental conditions.

For an in-depth exploration of the world’s conifers, including the Arizona cypress, refer to Farjon, A.’s comprehensive work, “A Handbook of the World’s Conifers. Vol. 1 & 2,” published by E. J. Brill, Leiden & Boston in 2010. This authoritative source provides extensive information on the classification, biology, and ecology of conifer species across the globe.

Common Names

Nld: amerikaanse cipres
Eng: arizona cypress, arizona smooth cypress, cuyamaca cypress, piute cypress, arizona-cypress
Deu: arizona-zypresse, arizonazypresse
Hun: arizona-ciprus
Spa: cedro, cedro blanco, ciprés de arizona, ciprés fibrosa, ciprés plateado
Ita: cipresso dell’ arizona, cipresso dell’arizona
Fra: cyprès d’arizonie, cyprès bleu, cyprès d’arizona, cyprès de l’arizona
Swe: arizonacypress
Por: cipreste, cipreste-do-arizona, cupressus-azul
Rus: кипарис аризонский (kiparis arizonskij)
Zho: 渌干柏 (lu gan bai)
En: Arizona cypress, Arizona smooth cypress, Cuyamaca cypress, Piute cypress, Arizona-cypress
Ar: سرو أريزوني
Hy: Նոճի արիզոնյան
Az: Arizona sərvi
Be: Кіпарыс арызонскі
Bg: Аризонски кипарис
Ca: Xiprer d’Arizona
Zh: Lu gan bai, 绿干柏, 渌干柏 (lu gan bai)
Hr: Arizonski čempres
Nl: Amerikaanse cipres
Fi: Arizonansypressi
Fr: Cyprès d’Arizona, Cyprès de l’Arizona, Cyprès d’Arizonie, Cyprès bleu
De: Arizonazypresse, Arizona-Zypresse
He: ברוש אריזוני
Hu: Arizonai ciprus, Arizona-ciprus
Is: Fjallasýprus
It: Cipresso dell’Arizona, Cipresso d’Arizona, Cipresso dell’ Arizona
No: Arizonasypress
Fa: سرو سیمین
Pl: Cyprys arizoński
Pt: Cipreste, Cipreste-do-arizona, Cupressus-azul
Ru: Кипарис аризонский, Кипарис аризонский (kiparis arizonskij)
Es: Cedro blanco, Ciprés plateado, Ciprés de Arizona, Cedro, Ciprés fibrosa
Sv: Arizonacypress

Synonyms

Distribution

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Raphaël Granet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Soth soth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Javier León Pablo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Paula Ley Valero (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Raphaël Granet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2021 by claire.couvrat (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Luis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2021 by ilgrandediopan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Johanna.roemer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 28, 2019 by Welch Guillermo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Raphaël Granet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Soth soth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2022 by Nebil Temsamani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Raphaël Granet (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 26, 2019 by Rafael Caballero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Josefina Gomez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2683969)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cupressus arizonica Greene)

Specifications

Growth