Cypress trees typically reach heights of up to 25 metres (82 ft) and exhibit a
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 6 metres (20 ft). The
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
aromatic, with glandular pits on the outer surface, and cover the stem in opposite pairs, giving the branchlet a four-sided appearance.[1]
Species
Cypress is any of the twelve species of ornamental and timber
evergreen conifers constituting the genus Cupressus of the family Cupressaceae. Many
resinous, aromatic evergreen trees called cypress belong to other genera of the same family, especially species of
false cypress and
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.[1]
Species that are commonly known as cypresses include:
Cypress (multiple species within the genus Cupressus):
Taxodium distichum, commonly known as bald cypress and native to the southeastern United States.[6]
Taxodium mucronatum, commonly known as Montezuma cypress or Montezuma bald cypress.[7] It is native Mexico,
Guatemala, and southern-central United States.[7]
Calocedrus decurrens, which has the common names bastard-cedar, incense-cedar and California incense cedar.[8] They are native to North America, specifically California, Oregon,
Nevada, and Mexico.[8]
In
Greek mythology, Cyparissos, Cyparissus or Kyparissos (
Ancient Greek: Κυπάρισσος, "cypress") was a male lover of
Apollo,[23] as well as other
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.[23][24]
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.[23] 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.[23]
This page is an index of articles on plant species (or higher taxonomic groups) with the same
common name (
vernacular name). If an
internal link led you here, you may wish to edit the linking article so that it links directly to the intended article.