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Hesperocyparis bakeri

(Jeps.) Bartel

Baker's Cypress

G3Vulnerable Found in 6 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159938
Element CodePGCUP04020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNVulnerable
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumConiferophyta
ClassPinopsida
OrderPinales
FamilyCupressaceae
GenusHesperocyparis
Synonyms
Callitropsis bakeri(Jeps.) D.P. LittleCupressus bakeriJepson
Other Common Names
Modoc cypress (EN) Modoc Cypress (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2018-05-15
Change Date1996-11-21
Edition Date2018-05-15
Edition AuthorsMaybury, K. (1995), rev. L. Morse (1996), rev. Bittman and Treher (2018)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Cupressus bakeri occurs in northern California and southern Oregon. There are thought to be over 80 occurrences, ranging from a few isolated trees to a population of thousands spread over several hundred hectares. The long-term viability of these occurrences is threatened by fire suppression which open the cones for seed dispersal and creates habitat conditions for germination. However, too frequent fires can kill trees before they reach reproductive age and produce cones which are essential for stand replacement.
Range Extent Comments
Cupressus bakeri is nearly endemic to northern California but it also occurs in southernmost Oregon.
Occurrences Comments
The number of occurrences is not known. The known herbarium and observation records have not been mapped to delineate occurrences.
Threat Impact Comments
The primary threat to this species is fire suppression. Fire suppression opens the cones for seed dispersal and creates habitat conditions for germination. However, fire intervals that are too frequent, are detrimental, as the trees need to reach reproductive age and then produce cones to benefit from fire. Otherwise, the tree are killed and seed is not available to replenish stands.
The species is also threatened native species (Red and White Firs) that are displacing the species at one site (Mud Lake-Wheeler Peak). Absence of fire is also one factor contributing to die off in stand of Cupressus bakeri, as plants die off when shaded out (Farjon 2013b).

Pests are known to attack the species: Juniper Mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum ssp. juniperinum) and Coryneum Canker (Coryneum cardinale) (Farjon 2013).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Occurs on various types of basic igneous rock in the Sierra Nevada and in the Cascades and on serpentine soils in the Siskiyous. Elevation ranges from 1050 to over 2000 m - extremely high for cypress. Stands are dependent on fire for their maintenance. The largest stand occurs on recent, dark-colored lava which has been broken into fissures, huge pits, depressions, and rock piles. Alluvial material in the depressions and loamy soil in the spaces between the broken lava provide a place for the trees to grow. Other occurrences consist of isolated clumps in fire-maintained brushfields of greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula) and in mixed-conifer and red fir forests.

Reproduction

This species requires fire to open the cones but also to create ideal germination conditions (bare mineral soils). However, the plants are not especially fire tolerant due to thin, exfoliating bark.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - Conifer
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS3Yes
OregonS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
7.1.1 - Increase in fire frequency/intensityUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityPervasive - largeUnknownHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, EVERGREEN
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (6)
California (6)
AreaForestAcres
Condrey Mtn.Klamath National Forest2,923
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
LavaLassen National Forest5,978
MayfieldLassen National Forest14,444
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
References (9)
  1. Adams, R.P., J.A. Bartel, and R.A. Price. 2009. A new genus, <i>Hesperocyparis</i>, for the Cypresses of the Western Hemisphere (Cupressaceae). Phytologia 91(1):160-185.
  2. Farjon, A. 2013b. <i>Cupressus bakeri</i>. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T34047A2841226. Online. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34047A2841226.en (accessed 17 May 2018).
  3. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1993a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 2. Pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xvi + 475 pp.
  4. Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.
  5. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  6. Little, E.L., Jr. 1971. Atlas of the United States trees. Vol. I. Conifers and important hardwoods. Miscellaneous Publication No. 1146. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 200 pp.
  7. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  8. Murphy, D. D. 1988. Ecology, politics, and the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. Wings. Spring. pp. 4-8.
  9. Peck, M.E. 1961. A manual of the higher plants of Oregon. 2nd edition. Binsford &amp; Mort, Portland, Oregon. 936 pp.