Hesperocyparis glabra
Credits
New article for Trees and Shrubs Online.
Recommended citation
'Hesperocyparis glabra' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Genus
Synonyms
- Callitropsis glabra (Sudw.) D.P.Little
- Cupressus arizonica var. bonita Hort. and of many authors, not Lemm
- Cupressus arizonica subsp. glabra (Sudw.) A.E.Murray
- Cupressus arizonica var. glabra (Sudw.) Little
- Cupressus glabra Sudw.
- Neocupressus arizonica var. glabra (Sudw.) de Laub.
Other taxa in genus
Editorial Note
The text below is from Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles (Bean 1976) and appeared within Bean’s account of Cupressus arizonica (now Hesperocyparis arizonica) under the old name Cupressus glabra. We have moved these texts here, unaltered, under the correct modern name with appropriate synonymy, to bring these accounts 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.
The main text for this and related taxa will be updated when sponsorship is forthcoming; if you would like to support the revision of these accounts please contact the editors.
TC, October 2024.
This species occupies parts of Arizona well to the west of C. arizonica, from Coconino Co. to the Mazatzal Mountains in Gila Co. It is a dense, bushy tree growing 45 to 60 ft high in the wild state, with a spreading crown and often lacking a central leader. The bark remains reddish, thin and smooth even on mature trees, and is shed in thin strips or plates (but becomes close on very old trees). The leaves are much greyer on the average than in C. arizonica, with conspicuous resin-secreting glands on the back. Some trees are strongly glaucous, especially when young and vigorous. The cones are usually larger than in C. arizonica and the seeds glaucous.Many botanists have identified C. glabra with C. arizonica var. bonita Lemm., but C. B. Wolf has pointed out this variety differs in no respect from typical C. arizonica.Owing to the confusion between the two species described above, the date of introduction of neither is known for certain. The seed sent by the Arnold Arboretum in 1882 is said to have been C. arizonica but may equally well have been C. glabra, which was described many years later. But the seed distributed by Purpus around 1890 was apparently collected in New Mexico, well within the range of C. arizonica. The trees cultivated in this country (most of which are probably C. glabra) are quite hardy and have reached heights of 60 to 75 ft and girths of 3{3/4} to 5 ft.The beautiful form of the Arizona cypress so common in Italian gardens is usually known as C. arizonica conica (or pyramidalis). It is of narrowly conical habit, with blue-glaucous leaves. Although said to be tender in Central Europe it appears to be quite hardy in this country.
From the Supplement (Vol. V)
C. glabra. – This species is distinguished from C. arizonica not only by its grey or silvery glaucous foliage, but also by its blistering and flaking bark, which in its relative is stringy. It is interesting that early this century Elwes and Henry mentioned glaucous-leaved forms of C. arizonica growing in France (Angers and Montpelier) and in Italy (Rovelli’s nursery at Pallanza). These were almost certainly C. glabra, but they knew of no similar trees in Britain. C. glabra is very hardy, and also drought-resistant.
specimens: Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden, Wisley, Surrey, 72 × 51⁄2 ft (1983); Exbury, Hants, 68 × 51⁄4 ft (1978); Stratford Park, Glos., 75 × 41⁄4 ft (1984); Bath Road, Cheltenham, Glos., 56 × 51⁄4 ft (1979); Royal Victoria Park, Bath, 79 × 53⁄4 ft (1984); Henrietta Park, Bath, 68 × 41⁄4 ft (1981); Leighton Hall, Powys, 60 × 51⁄2 ft (1984); Bulkeley Mill, Gwyn., 62 × 71⁄4 ft (1984); Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, Eire, 80 × 71⁄2 ft (1980).
