Taxon Report

Hesperocyparis nevadensis (Abrams) Bartel

Piute cypress

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Hesperocyparis nevadensis, commonly known as Piute cypress, is a perennial evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 720 to 1830 meters. Hesperocyparis nevadensis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Hesperocyparis nevadensis (Abrams) Bartel
Common Name:	Piute cypress
Family:	Cupressaceae
Element Code:	PGCUP04012
USDA Plants Symbol:	HENE2
Synonyms/Other Names:	Cupressus nevadensis Abrams Cupressus arizonica Greene ssp. nevadensis (Abrams) E. Murray Callitropsis nevadensis

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen tree
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	720-1830 (2360-6005)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_USDA
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	18
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	9
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	2
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	5

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Kern (KRN), Tulare (TUL)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Alta Sierra (3511865), Emerald Mtn. (3511833), Kernville (3511874), Lake Isabella North (3511864), Lake Isabella South (3511854), Miracle Hot Springs (3511855), Woolstalf Creek (3511853)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	7
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	13	72 %
Grazing	10	55%
Mining	2	11%
Other	2	11%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	5%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	5%
ORV activity	1	5%
Improper burning regime	1	5%

Notes



Threatened by grazing and mining. BA and RNA established by USFS and BLM for this plant. See Torreya 19:92 (1919) for original description.
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 5 December 2025].