Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.140811
Element CodePGCUP04012
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNEndangered
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumConiferophyta
ClassPinopsida
OrderPinales
FamilyCupressaceae
GenusHesperocyparis
SynonymsCallitropsis nevadensis(Abrams) D.P. LittleCupressus arizonica ssp. nevadensis(Abrams) E. MurrayCupressus arizonica var. nevadensis(Abrams) LittleCupressus nevadensisAbrams
Other Common NamesPaiute cypress (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic CommentsHesperocyparis nevadensis is considered a distinct species by Little (2006) and Adams et al. (2009) but a subspecies of Cupressus arizonica by Kartesz (1999). Little (2006) transferred all Western Hemisphere Cupressus to the genus Callitropsis and Adams et al. (2009) further isolated the Western Hemisphere cypress lineage into a new genus Hesperocyparis. Little (2006) and Adams et al. (2009) considered the following distinct from Hesperocyparis arizonica: Hesperocyparis glabra (syn. Callitropsis glabra, Cupressus arizonica ssp. glabra, Cupressus glabra), Hesperocyparis nevadensis (syn. Callitropsis nevadensis, Cupressus arizonica ssp. nevadensis, Cupressus nevadensis), and Hesperocyparis stephensonii (syn. Callitropsis stephensonii, Cupressus arizonica ssp. stephensonii, Cupressus stephensonii), which Flora of North America (1993, vol. 2) include in synonymy.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-07-28
Change Date1999-07-21
Edition Date2023-07-28
Edition AuthorsOgle, Y. (1987), rev. Bittman (2017), rev. Eberly (2023)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank ReasonsThis taxon is endemic to California in the western United States. It is a narrow endemic found in Kern and Tulare Counties with most groves in the Piute and Greenhorn Mountains bordering the Kern River Valley. There are less than 20 occurrences that are threatened by an increase in fire frequency, grazing, mining, and recreational activities.
Range Extent CommentsThis taxon is endemic to California in the western United States. It is found in Kern and Tulare Counties (CNDDB 2023). Most groves are located in the Piute and Greenhorn Mountains which border the Kern River Valley (Bartel 2019).
Threat Impact CommentsThis species occurs in fire prone areas and has serotinous cones; it relies on low exposure to low intensity fire to open the cones but high intensity fires may reduce germination rates (Milich 2010). Too frequent fires, occurring less than 20 or 30 years apart, may be detrimental to populations, as trees are typically killed by fire and the next generation of sapling doesn't reach sexual maturity until they are 6 to13 years old (Bartel 2019). Fire suppression may also be a threat, as it would also minimize germination events and allow for the expansion of chaparral shrubs. This species is potentially threatened by grazing, mining, and recreational activities (CNDDB 2023).