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Hesperocyparis bakeri

Hesperocyparis bakeri (Jeps.) Bartel

Modoc Cypress, Baker Cypress

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

Synonym(s): Callitropsis bakeri, Cupressus bakeri, Cupressus bakeri ssp. matthewsii, Neocupressus bakeri

USDA Symbol: HEBA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Medium-size to large evergreen tree with narrow, conical, open crown.

The northernmost and hardiest New World cypress, this rare tree is the only one of its genus native to Oregon. Its name honors Milo Samuel Baker (1868-1961), the California botanist who discovered this species in 1898.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Usually up to about 80 feet. Can be up to about 120 feet.
Fruit: Though technically incorrect, the seed cones are often referred to as berries.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Male and female parts in separate closed cones.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: SW. Oregon and N. California, especially Siskiyou Mountains; at 3800-6000' (1158-1829 m).
Native Habitat: Dry Ponderosa Pine forests, mixed evergreen forests, mostly on volcanic soil or serpentine.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hesperocyparis bakeri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hesperocyparis bakeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hesperocyparis bakeri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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