Atlantic white cypress (Chamaecyparis thyoides, Prelim. Cat.: 71 (1888))

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.

Bibliography: Prelim. Cat.: 71 (1888)

Year: 1888

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chamaecyparis

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. U.S.A.

Description

The Atlantic white cypress, scientifically known as Chamaecyparis thyoides, is a species of evergreen conifer that is part of the Cupressaceae family. This tree is native to the eastern United States, where it typically thrives in wetland areas such as swamps, bogs, and along riverbanks.

The tree can be identified by its narrow, conical shape and its dense, scale-like foliage that usually exhibits a bluish-green to dark green color. The leaves are small and pressed close to the shoots, giving the branches a soft texture. The bark of the Atlantic white cypress is fibrous and tends to peel away in strips, revealing an inner reddish-brown color that contrasts with the outer grayish hue.

Atlantic white cypress trees are relatively slow-growing but can reach impressive heights in the right conditions, often extending to about 60 to 80 feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to 3 feet. Its wood is highly valued for being lightweight, durable, and resistant to rot, making it a popular choice for use in the construction of boats, outdoor furniture, and shingles.

Ecologically, Chamaecyparis thyoides provides an important habitat for various wildlife. Its dense foliage offers shelter for birds, while its capacity to flourish in waterlogged soils aids in stabilizing wetlands and improving water quality.

The species was first formally described in 1888, a testament to its long-standing recognition in botanical studies. The authorship credited to L., Britton, Sterns, and Poggenburg highlights the collaborative effort in detailing this tree’s botanical characteristics and its ecological significance.

Overall, the Atlantic white cypress is a remarkable tree not only for its utilitarian wood but also for its role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of wetland ecosystems in the eastern United States.

Common Names

Eng: atlantic white cypress, atlantic white-cedar, atlantic white cedar, atlantic white-cypress, white cypress, southern white cedar, southern white-cedar, white-cedar, white-cypress
Ita: cipresso falsa tuia, cipresso bianco
Fra: faux cyprès, faux-cyprès blanc
Hun: mocsári álciprus
Deu: weiße scheinzypresse, weiße zeder, zederzypresse
Spa: cedro blanco
Por: cipreste-branco, cipreste-variegado, nana-legítima, nana-verdadeira
Slk: cypruštek tujovitý
Swe: tujacypress
Rus: кипарисовик туевидный (kiparisovik tuevidnyj)
Zho: 美国尖叶扁柏 (mei guo jian ye bian bai)
En: Atlantic White Cypress, Atlantic white-cedar, White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Southern white cedar, Southern white-cedar, Atlantic white-cypress, White-cedar, White-cypress
Zh: 美国尖叶扁柏 (mei guo jian ye bian bai)
Fr: Faux-cyprès blanc, Faux Cyprès, Faux Thuya
De: Zederzypresse, Weiße Scheinzypresse, Weiße Zeder, Kugel-Scheinzypresse, Weißzeder
Hu: Mocsári álciprus
It: Cipresso falsa tuia, Cipresso bianco
Pt: Cipreste-branco, Cipreste-variegado, Nana-legítima, Nana-verdadeira
Ru: Кипарисовик туевидный (kiparisovik tuevidnyj)
Sk: Cypruštek tujovitý
Es: Cedro blanco
Sv: Tujacypress

Synonyms

• Cupressus palustris (Salisb.)
• Cupressus thyoides (L.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Luca Love Photo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Rober Steve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Rober Steve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Rober Steve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Rober Steve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Abhi San (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2683871)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:54814-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Stem

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.3

Ph minimum: 3.5