Hesperocyparis benthamii
Credits
New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.
Recommended citation
'Hesperocyparis benthamii' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Genus
Synonyms
- Callitropsis benthamii (Endl.) D.P.Little Endl.
- Cupressus benthamii Endl. Schlecht., not H. B. K
- Cupressus lindleyi subsp. benthamii (Endl.) Silba
- Cupressus lusitanica var. benthamii (Endl.) Carrière
- Cupressus lusitanica subsp. benthamii (Endl.) Franco
- Cupressus benthamii var. knightiana (Duch.) Mast.
- Cupressus ehrenbergii Kunze
- Cupressus knightiana Duch.
- Cupressus lusitanica var. knightiana (Duch.) Rehder
Other taxa in genus
Editorial Note
The text below is from Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles (Bean 1976) where it appeared under the old name Cupressus lusitanica var. benthamii. When Adams et al. transferred North American Cupressus to Hesperocyparis they made the combination at species rank, as Hesperocyparis benthamii (Endl.) Bartel (Adams, Bartel & Price 2009); no combination exists at varietal rank in Hesperocyparis, therefore as part of our reorganisation of the true cypresses we are obliged to treat it at species rank. We have moved Bean’s text here, unaltered, under the only available modern name, with appropriate synonymy, to bring this account in line with modern taxonomic treatments. For an in-depth overview of the studies and ensuing taxonomic changes that prompted this change, see both the Hesperocyparis and Callitropsis genus accounts.
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TC, October 2024.
Cones of this variety are identical with those of [Hesperocyparis lusitanica] in colour, shape and size, but the branchlets are flattened and arranged in two opposite ranks, both on the same plane. Native of Mexico; introduced about 1838. According to Martinez, it has a restricted distribution, most of the stands being in the mountains N.E. of Pachuca. The name “knightiana” is sometimes given to a slightly more glaucous form; such forms, and others with yellowish green leaves, are found in the wild.