Piute Cypress
(Cupressus arizonica ssp. nevadensis )
Cupressaceae

Photo Copyright 2002 Dr. Louis Emmet Mahoney

Description: Evergreen shrub, 16 - 80 feet (5-25 meters) tall, with fibrous, non-peeling bark, gray to red-brown, to cherry-red in color. Leaves are scale-like. Contains seed cones and pollen cones. Pollen cones are yellow, have 8-16 scales, 5-6 pollen sacs per scale, and are 1/8 - 3/16 inches (3-5mm) long. Seed cones are egg-shaped, silver-gray, woody, contain 6-12 scales, and are 5/8 - 1 3/8 inches (15-35mm) long. Seeds are light brown, covered with a waxy or powdery film, and are 1/8 - 1/4 inches (3-6mm) long.

Distribution:

Habitat: Pinyon/juniper or oak/pine woodland, chaparral. Elevation 2304 - 5856 feet.

Flowering Period: A tree.

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B