About Cupressus goveniana var. goveniana
Hesperocyparis goveniana (formerly classified as Cupressus goveniana var. goveniana) is an evergreen tree with a conic to ovoid-conic crown. It varies greatly in size: mature trees grow to less than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall on some sites, and reach up to 50 m (160 ft) tall under ideal growing conditions. Its foliage grows in dense sprays, and ranges in color from dark green to somewhat yellow-green. Its leaves are scale-like, 2–5 mm (0.08–0.20 in) long, and grow on rounded, not flattened, shoots. Seed cones are globose to oblong, 11–22 mm (0.43–0.87 in) long, with 6 to 10 scales. They start out green, and mature to brown or gray-brown approximately 20–24 months after pollination. The cones stay closed for many years, and only open after the parent tree is killed by wildfire. This allows seeds to colonize the bare ground exposed by the fire. Male cones are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long, and release pollen in February or March. The cones of H. goveniana are typically 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. H. goveniana grows alongside Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Monterey cypress) in the two naturally occurring groves of Monterey cypress located in Monterey County. It has been introduced outside of California to Robinson Crusoe Island in Chile, and it is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
