Chamaecyparis obtusa

COMMON NAME: Hinoki Falsecypress

FAMILY: Cupressaceae

GROWTH HABIT: A tall (50 - 75 ft.), slender pyramid with spreading branches in horizontal plans and drooping, frondlike branchlets.

FOLIAGE: Closely pressed, of 2 sizes, the lateral pair is larger, boat-shaped, 1/12 in. long, blunt at the apex or with a minute point; the smaller pairs about 1/24 in. long, triangular, with a thickened apex, all prominently lined beneath with white X-shaped markings produced by a coating of wax, dark green above.

BARK: Reddish-brown, shed in long narrow strips.

FLOWERS: Male and female cones on one plant; staminate yellow, pistillate solitary.

FRUIT: Cones. Short-stalked, solitary, globose, 1/3 - 2/5 inch across, orange-brown. Scales 8, rarely 10.

NATIVE HABITAT: Japan and Formosa.