Cypress family
Cupressaceae

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Cypress family🌲

Cupressaceae

ヒノキ科

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A conifer family including Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria), Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis), and sequoias. The broadly defined Cupressaceae includes Cryptomeria (post-APG classification). The world's largest trees, sequoias, belong to this family.

Key Characteristics

  • Mostly evergreen conifers
  • Leaves scale-like or needle-like
  • Gymnosperms bearing cones
  • Contain aromatic resins

Morphological Traits

A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.

Leaf arrangement

Opposite / Whorled / Alternate

Leaf type

Simple

Venation

Parallel

Leaf margin

Entire

Leaf shape

Needle

Growth form

Tree / Shrub

Evergreen/Deciduous

Evergreen / Deciduous

Stipules

Absent

Aromatic

Aromatic

Petal fusion

No petals

Ovary position

Superior

Plant sex

Monoecious / Dioecious

Phylogenetic Position

Gymnosperms > Pinopsida > Pinales > Cupressaceae

Divergence Era

Triassic (approx. 230 million years ago onward)

Representative Genera

スギ属(Cryptomeria)ヒノキ属(Chamaecyparis)セコイア属(Sequoia)ネズミサシ属(Juniperus)

Related Evolution Events

  • Major conifer proliferation during the Mesozoic
  • Evolution of seed protection via cones
View on evolution timeline →

Plants in Cypress family on this site

🌿 View in taxonomy
📚樹木図鑑(ナツメ社)