Taxon Report

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Hartw.) Bartel

Monterey cypress

Print Report

Species Description:
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, commonly known as Monterey cypress, is a perennial evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Closed-cone coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 10 to 30 meters. Hesperocyparis macrocarpa is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Hartw.) Bartel
Common Name:	Monterey cypress
Family:	Cupressaceae
Element Code:	PGCUP04060
USDA Plants Symbol:	HEMA22
Synonyms/Other Names:	Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw. Callitropsis macrocarpa

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen tree
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	10-30 (35-100)
General Habitats:	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:	None
Other Status:	IUCN_VU; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	1

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:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	1	50 %
Development	1	50%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	50%

Notes



Known from only two native occurrences in the Monterey area; widely planted and naturalized elsewhere.
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 18 January 2025].