Hesperocyparis stephensonii
Cuyamaca cypress
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Millie Basden · licence
Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Hesperocyparis stephensonii (Cuyamaca cypress) is a native California tree in the Cupressaceae family, recognized by distinctive peeling bark.
Cuyamaca cypress is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native tree found in the southwestern Peninsular Ranges in Cuyamaca Mountains chaparral at elevations of 910 to 1,800 meters. A distinctive cypress with smooth, thin bark that peels in red-brown to cherry-red strips, this tree grows 10 to 16 meters tall with ultimate branches less than 1.5 millimeters in diameter. Its branches are cylindrical and covered with gray-green foliage, creating a distinctive silhouette in its rugged mountain habitat. The tree produces seed cones approximately 17 to 27 millimeters wide, which are spheric and range from dull gray to brown with 6 to 8 distinctive conic projections. Its seeds are dark to red-brown, measuring 3.6 to 6 millimeters long, with a conspicuous attachment scar.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive peeling bark
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 910-1800 m
Outside California: northwestern Baja California
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 stephensonii native to California?
Yes. Hesperocyparis stephensonii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Hesperocyparis stephensonii belong to?
Hesperocyparis stephensonii is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Hesperocyparis.
Is Hesperocyparis stephensonii rare or endangered?
Hesperocyparis stephensonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Hesperocyparis stephensonii grow in?
Hesperocyparis stephensonii grows in Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Hesperocyparis goveniana — Gowen cypress
- Juniperus californica — California juniper
- Juniperus communis — Common juniper
- Juniperus communis var. depressa — Depressed juniper
- Juniperus communis var. jackii — Jack's juniper
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.