CUPRESSACEAE

the cypress family (order Coniferales), about 19 genera with over 130 species of evergreen ornamental and timber shrubs and trees, distributed throughout the world. The leaves of these plants are opposite or whorled and usually paired or in threes. Adult leaves are narrow, scalelike, and pressed against the branchlets, which themselves are often flattened. Awllike juvenile and transitional leaves are often present on mature trees. The male reproductive structures are borne at the ends of short twigs; the female structures (cones) are terminal, with opposite or whorled scales, consisting of both a fused bract (modified leaf) and a scale. The cones, usually woody, have erect ovules. Economically important genera include alerce (Fitzroya), white alerce (Pilgerodendron), arborvitae (Thuja), Chilean cedar (Austrocedrus), cypress (Cupressus), cypress pine (Callitris and Widdringtonia), arartree (Tetraclinis), false arborvitae (Thujopsis), false cypress (Chamaecyparis), incense cedar (Calocedrus), oriental arborvitae (Thuja or Biota), and juniper (Juniperus). Many members of the cypress family are important as timber sources or ornamentals, especially arborvitae, cypress, and juniper. They also contain useful oils, resins, and tannins.