Cupressus abramsiana - Conifer - Santa Cruz Cypress Page

Discover the beauty and uniqueness of the Santa Cruz Cypress, scientifically known as Cupressus/Hesperocyparis abramsiana, a rare evergreen conifer with stunning features. Growing to a height of 15-20 feet, this pyramid-shaped tree boasts fibrous gray bark and bright green scale-like leaves, lending it a distinctive appearance. Notably, its large seed cones, measuring 1.5 to 3 cm in diameter, distinguish it from other varieties of Gowen Cypress. Native exclusively to the sandstone outcrops of California's Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz Cypress thrives in USDA Zone 7, where it enjoys sunlit, well-drained soils typical of its chaparral and pine forest habitats.

Originally described in 1948 to honor botanist LeRoy Abrams, this remarkable species has sparked conservation interest due to its limited distribution and reduced population. Once covering larger expanses, its current range is restricted to a mere 16 km² within the Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. Included in the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Cruz Cypress is now classified as "Threatened" following efforts to mitigate habitat destruction and to safeguard its survival for future generations. Whether appreciated for its striking aesthetic or its ecological significance, this botanical gem invites admiration and conservation alike.