Home/Species/ Monterey Cypress

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

(Hartw.) Bartel

Monterey Cypress

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →

G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank

VulnerableIUCN

HighThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.128986

Element CodePGCUP04060

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

IUCNVulnerable

Endemicendemic to a single state or province

KingdomPlantae

PhylumConiferophyta

ClassPinopsida

OrderPinales

FamilyCupressaceae

GenusHesperocyparis

Synonyms

Callitropsis macrocarpa(Hartw.) D.P. LittleCupressus macrocarpaHartw. ex Gord.

Other Common Names

Monterey 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 Date2018-05-22

Change Date1984-06-26

Edition Date2018-05-22

Edition AuthorsBittman (2015), rev. Treher (2018)

Threat ImpactHigh

Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)

Number of Occurrences1 - 5

Rank Reasons

Cupressus macrocarpa is endemic to California and native to the Monterey Peninsula, although it is widely planted and naturalized elsewhere. There are two known occurrences with an area of occupancy of 24 sq km. The species is threatened development, trampling, and recreation, including nearby golf courses. The proximity to recreational areas has suppressed natural fires near the occurrences which has reduced reproduction.

Range Extent Comments

Cupressus macrocarpa is endemic to California and native to the Monterey Peninsula. It is cultivated in other parts of northern and central coastal California and elsewhere.

Occurrences Comments

There are two known occurrences.

Threat Impact Comments

The proximity to recreational areas has suppressed natural fires which is necessary to maintain habitat for this species. Although more information is needed about fire frequencies that benefit this species. Other threats to the species include development, trampling, and recreation, including nearby golf courses.

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species is associated closed-cone-pine/cypress forests forming the Monterey Cypress forest community but primarily occurs in dense stands below 30 m elevation. Fire is important for maintaining these communities.

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest/WoodlandForest - Conifer

Other Nations (1)

United StatesN1

Province	Rank	Native
California	S1	Yes

Threat Assessments

Threat	Scope	Severity	Timing
1 - Residential & commercial development	Large (31-70%)	Unknown	High (continuing)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbance	Large (31-70%)	Unknown	High (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activities	Large (31-70%)	Unknown	High (continuing)
7 - Natural system modifications	Pervasive - large	Unknown	High (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppression	Pervasive - large	Unknown	High (continuing)

Plant Characteristics

DurationPERENNIAL, EVERGREEN

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (1)

California (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Chalk Peak	Los Padres National Forest	7,472

References (6)

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.
Esser, L.L. 1994b. <i>Hesperocyparis macrocarpa</i>. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Online. Available: www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/hesmac/all.html (accessed 22 May 2018).
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.
Hickman, J. C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.
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.
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.

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

Habitat

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