Biological Name: Cupressus spp.
Origins / Native Range: Warm temperate regions worldwide – particularly the Mediterranean, North America, and Asia.
Interesting Facts:
• Evergreen conifers with scale-like leaves.
• Associated with cemeteries and mourning in Mediterranean cultures.
• Timber is fragrant, durable, and resistant to insects.
• Tall, slender Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an iconic landscape tree.
Conservation Status: Varies – many species are stable, though some island endemics are endangered.