About Cupressus goveniana var. abramsiana (C.B.Wolf) Little
Hesperocyparis goveniana, previously classified as Cupressus goveniana var. abramsiana (C.B.Wolf) Little, is an evergreen tree. It has a conic to ovoid-conic crown, and its size varies widely depending on growing conditions: mature trees grow to under 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall on poor sites, and can reach 50 m (160 ft) tall when growing in ideal conditions. Its foliage grows in dense sprays, and ranges in color from dark green to a more yellow-green shade. The leaves are scale-like, measuring 2–5 mm (0.08–0.20 in) long, and they grow on rounded shoots that are not flattened. Seed cones of this species are globose to oblong, 11–22 mm (0.43–0.87 in) long, and have 6 to 10 scales. They start out green, and mature to brown or gray-brown roughly 20–24 months after pollination. These cones stay closed for many years, and only open after the parent tree is killed by wildfire. This opening releases seeds to colonize the bare ground left exposed by the fire. Male cones are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long, and release pollen in February or March. On average, the cones of H. goveniana are smaller than the cones of H. macrocarpa. This tree is endemic to the Monterey Peninsula in coastal Monterey County, on the Central Coast of California, Western United States. It grows in small, scattered populations, and does not form large continuous forests of its own species. It grows alongside Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, also called Monterey cypress, in the two naturally occurring Monterey cypress groves located in Monterey County. It has been introduced outside of California to Robinson Crusoe Island in Chile. This species is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
