Taxon Report

Hesperocyparis stephensonii (C. B. Wolf) Bartel

Cuyamaca cypress

Print Report


© 2011 Joey Malone

Taxon Summary

Hesperocyparis stephensonii, commonly known as Cuyamaca cypress, is a perennial evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, and Riparian forest, growing at elevations from 1035 to 1705 meters. Hesperocyparis stephensonii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Hesperocyparis stephensonii (C. B. Wolf) Bartel
Common Name:
 Cuyamaca cypress
Family: Cupressaceae
Element Code: PGCUP04013
USDA Plants Symbol: HEST10
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Cupressus stephensonii C. B. Wolf
  • Callitropsis stephensonii

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial evergreen tree
Blooming Period:
Elevation: 1035-1705 (3395-5595)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Riparian forest
Microhabitat: Gabbroic
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G1
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 5
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 4

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cuyamaca Peak (3211685), Mount Laguna (3211674), Tule Springs (3211686)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 60 %
Improper burning regime 3 60%

Notes
Threatened by alteration of fire regimes, specifically frequent wildfires; the 1950 Conejo fire extirpated plant over part of its range. Possibly threatened by mining Cleveland NF has adopted species management guidelines. Protected in part at King Creek RNA (USFS). A synonym of C. arizonica ssp. arizonica in TJM (1993), but genetic evidence does not support this interpretation.
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 25 January 2025].