Cupressaceae

Defining Characteristics

• Evergreen conifers with scale-like or awl-shaped (subulate) leaves, often decurrent on branchlets
• Woody seed cones with peltate or valvate scales, or fleshy berry -like cones (junipers)
• Aromatic resinous wood and foliage
• Monoecious (usually), with separate pollen and seed cones on same plant
• Seeds winged or unwinged, 1 to many per scale
• Includes the world's largest (Sequoiadendron) and tallest (Sequoia) trees

Notable Genera

• Cupressus (cypress)
• Juniperus (juniper)
• Sequoia (coast redwood)
• Sequoiadendron (giant sequoia)
• Thuja (arborvitae)
• Chamaecyparis (false cypress)
• Metasequoia (dawn redwood)

Notes

Contains the world's tallest (coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens) and largest by volume (giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees. Juniper berries flavor gin. Thuja and Chamaecyparis are widely used in hedging and ornamental horticulture. Cedar wood is prized for its rot resistance and aromatic properties.