The Papua Cypress tree is distributed across various parts of the Southern Hemisphere, especially in the tropical regions of the Old World, including Indo-Malaysia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. As its name suggests, this type of cypress originates from Papua Island.

The cypress plant is capable of adapting and growing in areas from the highlands down to the coastal beaches. The cypress tree is an evergreen plant, meaning its leaves are always green, rarely dry out, and do not easily shed. This plant is often mistaken for the pine tree (tusam) because its twigs are jointed on large branches, resembling needles, and it bears fruit similar to small cones.

This Christmas tree-like species has leaves that look like deer antlers when observed closely and are dark green in color. This plant can grow in both lowlands and highlands and requires all-day sunlight. Plants in the Cupressus genus can grow up to 5–40 meters tall. This plant is often used as an ornament in home yards. Its maintenance is also relatively easy.

• The root system is a taproot.

• The stem is erect, round, with a somewhat rough surface, and contains resin within the trunk. It has branches that grow densely close to each other.

• The leaves are compound, with colors ranging from dark green to bright green depending on the species or type of cypress plant itself.

• The flower of the cypress plant is a single flower and is monoecious (a false flower or strobilus).

• The fruit of the cypress tree generally does not produce true fruit but has a pinecone, commonly known as a cypress cone (runjung cemara).

• Propagation is done both generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by stem cuttings).

• The essential oil processed from the cypress tree is potent in treating lung complaints, such as coughs, sinus issues, and bronchitis.

• The cypress root has been traditionally used to treat worm infestations (cacingan).

• The fruit produced by the cypress tree has been found to contain Vitamin C compounds.

The plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, and quinones.