Sawara-cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera, Syn. Conif.: 64 (1847))

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl.

Bibliography: Syn. Conif.: 64 (1847)

Year: 1847

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chamaecyparis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Japan (S. Honshu, C. Kyushu)

Description

The Sawara-cypress, scientifically known as Chamaecyparis pisifera, is an evergreen conifer renowned for its graceful appearance and versatility in landscaping. Native to Japan, specifically Southern Honshu and Central Kyushu, this tree holds a significant place both horticulturally and culturally.

As a member of the Cupressaceae family, the Sawara-cypress exhibits characteristic features that make it a valuable addition to gardens and natural landscapes. Its foliage is delicate and feathery, often displaying a bluish-green hue when young, which matures into a deeper green, providing a soothing visual contrast amid other vegetation. The tree’s bark is another distinctive feature; with its reddish-brown coloration, it peels in thin strips, adding textural interest and highlighting the tree’s natural beauty.

The nomenclature and classification history of Chamaecyparis pisifera have been well-documented, with its authority credited to (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl., and first officially described in the “Syn. Conif.” in 1847. This rich botanical history underlines the plant’s importance and the continued interest it garners from botanists and horticulturists alike.

In its native habitats, the Sawara-cypress can grow to impressive heights, creating a majestic presence in the landscape. It’s particularly valued for its adaptability; whether in formal garden settings, as bonsai specimens, or in natural forested areas, its elegant form and manageable size make it an excellent choice. The tree’s wood is also noted for its quality and durability, utilized traditionally in Japanese architecture and crafts.

In summary, Chamaecyparis pisifera, or the Sawara-cypress, is more than just an ornamental tree. Its profound cultural and practical significance in Japan, combined with its aesthetic appeal, ensures its place in both historical and contemporary horticultural practices. Whether appreciated for its visual beauty, ecological benefits, or material utility, the Sawara-cypress stands as a testament to nature’s craftsmanship.

Common Names

Ita: cipresso giapponese, sawara cipresso
Deu: erbsenfrüchtige scheinzypresse, sawara-scheinzypresse, sawarazypresse
Eng: sawara cypress, sawara-cypress
Nld: sawaracipres
Hun: szavára álciprus
Por: cipreste, cipreste-azul, cipreste-azulado, cipreste-de-sawara, cipreste-do-japão, cipreste-glauca, cipreste-glauco, cipreste-macarrão, cipreste-sawara, pinheiro-azul, pássaro-azul, retinóspora, tuia-azul, tuia-macarrão, tuia-pavão
Spa: ciprés de sawara
Ces: cyprišek hrachonosný
Slk: cypruštek hrachonosný
Fra: cyprès du sawara, cyprès à pois
Dan: ærtecypres
Swe: ärtcypress
Rus: кипарисовик горохоплодный (kiparisovik gorokhoplodnyj)
Zho: 五彩松 (wu cai song), 纤叶花柏 (xian ye hua bai)
Nno: nålesypress
Nob: nålesypress
Jpn: sawara
En: Sawara-cypress, Sawara cypress, Sawara, Sawara False Cypress, Sawara Falsecypress, Sawara false-cypress
Zh: Ri ben hua bai, 五彩松 (wu cai song), 纤叶花柏 (xian ye hua bai)
Cs: Cyprišek hrachonosný
Da: Ærtecypres
Nl: Sawaracipres
Fr: Cyprès du Sawara, Cyprès à pois, Cyprès de Sawara
De: Sawarazypresse, Erbsenfrüchtige Scheinzypresse, Sawara-Scheinzypresse
Hu: Szavára álciprus
It: Sawara cipresso, Cipresso giapponese
Ja: Sawara
Nb: Nålesypress
Nn: Nålesypress
Pt: Cipreste, Cipreste-azul, Cipreste-azulado, Cipreste-de-sawara, Cipreste-do-japão, Cipreste-glauca, Cipreste-glauco, Cipreste-macarrão, Cipreste-sawara, Pinheiro-azul, Pássaro-azul, Retinóspora, Tuia-azul, Tuia-macarrão, Tuia-pavão
Ru: Кипарисовик горохоплодный (kiparisovik gorokhoplodnyj)
Sk: Cypruštek hrachonosný
Es: Ciprés de Sawara
Sv: Ärtcypress

Synonyms

• Cupressus pisifera var. sulphurea (A.H.Kent)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. aurea ((Gordon) Rehder)
• Cupressus obtusa var. plumosa-argentea (Lavallée)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. filifera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Voss)
• Chamaecyparis leptoclada ((Endl.) Henkel & W.Hochst.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filifera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Hartw. & Rümpler)
• Cupressus pisifera var. filiera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Lavallée)
• Retinispora filiformis (De Smet)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. plumosa ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. aurea-nana (Beissn.)
• Thuja pisifera ((Siebold & Zucc.) Mast.)
• Chamaecyparis squarrosa var. leptoclada (Endl.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. pendula ((Mast.) Zederb.)
• Retinispora squarrosa (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. filifera-aurea (Beissn.)
• Chamaecyparis plumosa ((Carrière) Sénécl.)
• Retinispora stricta (Gordon)
• Retinispora pisifera var. aurea (Gordon)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filiformis ((R.Sm.) Beissn.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Jacob-Makoy)
• Retinispora plumosa var. aurea (R.Sm.)
• Chamaecyparis squarrosa var. sulphurea (G.Nicholson)
• Cupressus squarrosa ((Siebold & Zucc.) Ravenscr.)
• Cupressus leptoclada ((Endl.) Lavallée)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filifera-pendula (Nash)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. minima (Hornibr.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. leptoclada ((Endl.) Rehder)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. plumosa ((Carrière) Ed.Otto)
• Chamaecyparis obtusa var. plumosa (Carrière)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. sulphurea ((A.H.Kent) Rehder)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. aurea ((Gordon) Stelzner)
• Cupressus pisifera plumosa-flavescens (Mast.)
• Cupressus obtusa var. plumosa-aurea (Lavallée)
• Retinispora pisifera (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filicoides (Regel)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. plumosa-aurea (Jacob-Makoy)
• Thuja pisifera var. filifera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Mast.)
• Retinispora plumosa ((Carrière) Gordon)
• Cupressus pisifera var. plumosa ((Carrière) Lavallée)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera plumosa-argenteovariegata (Jacob-Makoy)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. filifera-aureovariegata (Beissn.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. standishii (Beissn.)
• Retinispora pisifera var. filiformis (R.Sm.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. nana-variegata (Jacob-Makoy)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera var. variegata (Stelzner)
• Cupressus pisifera f. pendula (Mast.)
• Chamaecyparis plumosa var. argentea (Sénécl.)
• Chamaecyparis filifera (Veitch ex Sénécl.)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera plumosa-flavescens (Jacob-Makoy)
• Retinispora filifera ((Veitch ex Sénécl.) Fowler)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera f. squarrosa ((Siebold & Zucc.) Beissn. & Hochst.)
• Retinispora leptoclada ((Endl.) Zucc. ex Gordon)
• Retinispora aurea ((Gordon) de Vos)
• Cupressus pisifera ((Siebold & Zucc.) F.Muell.)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• New York (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

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

Fruit

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Igor Iggy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Buu Wuu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Petra ke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Gene Delos Santos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2021 by beattie trevor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by c.strack (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Andrea S (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 4, 2020 by Johan Niss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 16, 2022 by KP Laer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Werner Rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Jennifer Trouillet (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2683880)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:261847-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chamaecyparis pisifera (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth