Taxon Report

Hesperocyparis goveniana (Gordon) Bartel

Gowen cypress

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Hesperocyparis goveniana, commonly known as Gowen cypress, is a perennial evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (maritime), and Closed-cone coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 30 to 300 meters. Hesperocyparis goveniana is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Hesperocyparis goveniana (Gordon) Bartel
Common Name:	Gowen cypress
Family:	Cupressaceae
Element Code:	PGCUP04031
USDA Plants Symbol:	HEGO3
Synonyms/Other Names:	Cupressus goveniana Gordon ssp. goveniana Callitropsis goveniana

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen tree
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	30-300 (100-985)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	FT
Other Status:	IUCN_EN; SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_UCSC
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Monterey (3612158)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	3
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	3	75 %
Development	2	50%
Improper burning regime	2	50%
Non-native plant impacts	2	50%

Notes



Known from only three native occurrences in the Monterey area. Threatened by development and altered fire regimes, and possibly by non-native plants.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 1 November 2025].