The quintessential and iconic evergreen conifer of Italian landscapes, unmistakable thanks to its tall, slender form. Also known as Mediterranean Cypress.

Native to several countries bordering the Mediterranean, eastwards to the Caucasus.

Monoecious. Long-lived.

Typically 20-30m. Most familiar in its narrow, fastigiate form, but it can also grow broad and horizontal. Bark grey-brown, smooth becoming vertically fissured. Leaves scale-like, in rounded (not flattened) sprays. Male cones 3-5mm, releasing hyper-allergenic pollen in late winter. Female cones globose, 2-3cm, often staying closed for years (serotinous).

Cold-hardy (-20°C) despite its warm temperate origins, and drought-tolerant.

No notable associations where introduced.

A severe bark canker caused by a fungus, inadvertently introduced by US troops during WWII, necessitates removal of infested trees.

Ornamental. Several cultivars are available, including extremely narrow forms of the variety stricta.