Taxon Report

Hesperocyparis stephensonii (C. B. Wolf) Bartel

Cuyamaca cypress

Print Report

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 20 November 2025].