Cupressus sempervirens
L.
Cupressaceae
Chamaecyparis thujiformis R.Sm. ex Gordon
Cupressus conoidea Spadoni
Cupressus elongata Salisb.
Cupressus expansa Targ.Tozz. ex Steud.
Cupressus fastigiata DC.
Cupressus foemina Garsault
Cupressus globulifera Parl.
Cupressus horizontalis Mill.
Cupressus lugubris Salisb.
Cupressus mariae Sennen
Cupressus mas Garsault
Cupressus orientalis Beissn.
Cupressus patula Pers.
Cupressus pyramidalis O.Targ.Tozz.
Cupressus roylei Carrière
Cupressus sphaerocarpa Parl.
Cupressus stricta Mill. ex Gordon & Glend.
Cupressus thujifolia Knight ex Gordon & Glend.
Cupressus thujiformis Parker ex Gordon
Cupressus thujioides H.Low ex Gordon
Cupressus umbilicata Parl.
Cupressus whitleyana Carrière
Juniperus whitleyana Miq.
Common Name: Italian Cypress
Tree
Photograph by: Chneophytou
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Tree
Photograph by: Chneophytou
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Growing out of a wall in Cypress
Photograph by: Stacey Meadwell
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Female cones and leaves
Photograph by: Lucarelli
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
General Information
Cupressus sempervirens is an evergreen tree with a very narrow, pencil-shaped crown becoming irregular and broad in old trees; it can grow up to 40 metres tall. The straight trunk can be up to 200cm in diameter[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
,
372- Title
- Flowers of India
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.flowersofindia.net/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
,
2124- Title
- A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Farjon A.
- Publisher
- Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 978 90 04 32449 7
- Description
-
].
The tree has been planted as a timber crop in areas from the warm temperate zone to the tropics, often being grown in east Africa[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. It is widely grown as an ornamental.
Cupressus sempervirens, in its uncultivated form, is very widespread but scattered; large and viable subpopulations exist as well as relict trees without successful reproduction in situ. It will certainly be of regional concern, e.g. in Israel and Lebanon, but globally it is still too abundant to be threatened with extinction. Exploitation has largely ceased, except local use for firewood in wood-deficient areas.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
Poisonous[
76- Title
- Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Cooper. M. and Johnson. A.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0112425291
- Description
- Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
]. No more details.
Botanical References
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
2124- Title
- A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Farjon A.
- Publisher
- Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 978 90 04 32449 7
- Description
-
Range
Mediterranean - Libya, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria, to Iran
Habitat
Rocky mountainous areas, usually near the coast, in S. Europe[
45- Title
- Flowers of Greece and the Balkans.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1980
- ISBN
- 0-19-217626-9
- Description
- A good pocket flora, it also lists quite a few plant uses.
,
89- Title
- Flowers of the Mediterranean.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- Hogarth Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7012-0784-1
- Description
- A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
]. Maquis and in pine or juniper woodland, growing in rocky soil mostly over limestone on slopes and in gorges, occasionally igneous rock; at elevations up to 1,700 metres[
2124- Title
- A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Farjon A.
- Publisher
- Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 978 90 04 32449 7
- Description
-
].
Properties
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 30.00 m |
Growth Rate | Medium |
Pollinators | Wind |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Italian cypress grows in a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and winter rain, the climate becoming semi-arid in the more eastern parts of its range. It is often be cultivated in the subtropics and at higher elevations in the tropics[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Thrives in a deep well-drained loamy or peaty soil[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Established plants are very tolerant of hot dry conditions and drought[
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
] but is then more subject to damage by white-scale insects in a succession of dry seasons[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Plants are not very happy when growing on chalky soils but they thrive on limestone[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Requires a sunny position[
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
].
Growth can be quite vigorous, especially in young trees, with many averaging 60cm a year[
185- Title
- Conifers in the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mitchell. A. F.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
- 0-11-710012-9
- Description
- A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.
]. Growth slows and almost comes to a halt when the tree is 12 - 15 metres tall[
185- Title
- Conifers in the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mitchell. A. F.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
- 0-11-710012-9
- Description
- A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.
].
Plants are subject to injury by the wind[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The seed takes two summers to mature[
227- Title
- Trees of North Texas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Vines. R.A.
- Publisher
- University of Texas Press.
- Year
- 1982
- ISBN
- 0292780206
- Description
- A readable guide to the area, it contains descriptions of the plants and their habitats with quite a bit of information on plant uses.
]. Mature cones can remain unopened on the tree for a number of years[
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
]. They open after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow away quickly in the ashes of the fire[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance, any transplanting should be done in April or September when the roots are in active growth[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
].
A very variable plant[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The cones and young branches are anthelmintic, antipyretic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic and vasoconstrictor[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
]. They are harvested in late winter and early spring, then dried for later use[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
]. Taken internally, it is used in the treatment of whooping cough, the spitting up of blood, spasmodic coughs, colds, flu and sore throats[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. Decoctions of the branches and leaves are reported to be used to treat peptic ulcers, haemorrhoids and menstruation problems[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Applied externally as a lotion or as a diluted essential oil (using an oil such as almond), it astringes varicose veins and haemorrhoids, tightening up the blood vessels[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. A foot bath of the cones is used to cleanse the feet and counter excessive sweating[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. The extracted essential oil should not be taken internally without professional guidance[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
A resin is obtained from the tree by making incisions in the trunk[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
]. This has a vulnerary action on slow-healing wounds and also encourages whitlows to come to a head[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
An essential oil from the leaves and cones is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Astringent'[
210- Title
- Aromatherapy - A guide for home use.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Westwood. C.
- Publisher
- Amberwood Publishing Ltd
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0-9517723-0-9
- Description
- An excellent little pocket guide. Very concise.
].
Other Uses
An essential oil is distilled from the shoots. It is used in perfumery and soap making[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. The leaves contain about 2% essential oil whilst the wood contains about 2.5%[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
An infusion of the wood is used in footbaths to combat perspiration of the feet[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
The fragrant wood is very hard and very durable. A popular wood for building uses, cabinet making and wardrobes, especially since it retains its fragrance, repels moths and is impervious to woodworm[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
89- Title
- Flowers of the Mediterranean.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- Hogarth Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7012-0784-1
- Description
- A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
,
2124- Title
- A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Farjon A.
- Publisher
- Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 978 90 04 32449 7
- Description
-
].
Propagation
Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[
164- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 4.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can store for several years[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. mid spring is the best time to take cuttings[
113- Title
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W.
- Publisher
- Athens Ga. Varsity Press
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0942375009
- Description
- A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
].