Hesperocyparis sp.
Western cypress, Western Cypress
Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Hesperocyparis sp. (Western cypress) is a native California shrub in the Cupressaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Hesperocyparis sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Hesperocyparis sp. belong to?
Hesperocyparis sp. is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Hesperocyparis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Hesperocyparis stephensonii — Cuyamaca cypress
- Hesperocyparis abramsiana — Santa cruz cypress
- Hesperocyparis abramsiana var. abramsiana — Santa Cruz Cypress
- Hesperocyparis abramsiana var. butanoensis — Santa Cruz Cypress
- Hesperocyparis bakeri — Baker cypress
- Hesperocyparis forbesii — Tecate cypress
- Juniperus californica — California juniper
- Juniperus communis — Common juniper
- Juniperus communis var. depressa — Depressed juniper
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.