Chamaecyparis sp.
False cypress, False Cypress
(c) John B., some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Tree · Variable; species dependent
Chamaecyparis sp. (False cypress) is a non-native California tree in the Cupressaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Thuja: Chamaecyparis has round cones with shield-shaped scales; Thuja has oblong upright cones with overlapping shingle-like scales.; vs Calocedrus: Chamaecyparis has flattened sprays and round cones; Calocedrus has leaves appearing whorled in fours and hanging oblong cones.; vs Sequoia: Chamaecyparis has only scale leaves in flat sprays; Sequoia has flat needles in two rows on most branches.; vs Sequoiadendron: Chamaecyparis has flattened fern-like sprays; Sequoiadendron has rope-like twigs with awl leaves in four rows.; vs Callitropsis: Chamaecyparis has upright or spreading flat sprays; Callitropsis has distinctive drooping, weeping branch tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chamaecyparis sp. native to California?
No. Chamaecyparis sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Chamaecyparis sp. belong to?
Chamaecyparis sp. is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Chamaecyparis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.