Hesperocyparis pigmaea
Pygmy cypress
Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Hesperocyparis pigmaea (Pygmy cypress) is a native California shrub / tree in the Cupressaceae family, recognized by extreme size variation based on soil conditions.
Pygmy cypress is a California native shrub found in closed-cone pine and cypress forests, coastal terraces, and mixed-evergreen forests along the central California coast at elevations of 50 to 200 meters. This distinctive conifer ranges from a compact 1 to 2 meters tall on sterile soils to a more substantial 10 to 20 meters on richer ground, with long whip-like branches and fibrous gray-brown bark. Growing with cylindrical branches less than 1.2 millimeters in diameter, it displays dark dull green foliage that lacks visible resin. Its seed cones are distinctive, measuring 12 to 27 millimeters long and spheric to widely elliptic, initially tan and aging to gray with 6 to 10 scales. The seeds are small, dark red-brown to black, measuring 2.5 to 4.7 millimeters long with a shiny appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; extreme size variation based on soil conditions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Closed-cone-pine/cypress forests, mixed-evergreen forest, coastal terraces
Elevation: 50-200(300) m
Outside California: reported from southwestern Oregon
How to tell it apart
vs Cupressus: Same genus (Cupressus is old name for Hesperocyparis); check current taxonomy for your region.; vs Juniperus: Hesperocyparis has woody cones with 6-12 scales; Juniperus has fleshy berry-like cones.; vs Pinus: Hesperocyparis has tiny scale leaves; Pinus has long needles in bundles.; vs Sequoia: Hesperocyparis has 3D spreading branches and persistent closed cones; Sequoia has horizontal branches with flat needles.; vs Cedrus: Hesperocyparis has scale leaves and round cones; Cedrus has needles in clusters and upright barrel-shaped cones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hesperocyparis pigmaea native to California?
Yes. Hesperocyparis pigmaea is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Hesperocyparis pigmaea belong to?
Hesperocyparis pigmaea is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Hesperocyparis.
What habitat does Hesperocyparis pigmaea grow in?
Hesperocyparis pigmaea grows in Closed-cone-pine/cypress forests, mixed-evergreen forest, coastal terraces.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.