Practical
Plants

Cupressus funebris

Chinese Weeping Cypress

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cupressus genus in the family Cupressaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
25 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaf is antiperiodic[8]. It is used in the treatment of bleeding piles, excessive menstrual flow etc[8]. A decoction of fruiting branches is used in the treatment of colds[8].

Product or use
Antiperiodic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - hard, tough, white, durable, close grained. Used for general construction, agricultural implements etc[10][2].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Forms woods on mountain slopes and ravines, especially in limestone areas, from sea level to 1100 metres[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[5]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[5]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can store for several years[4]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[1]. April/May is the best time to take cuttings[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in a well-drained loamy or peaty soil[3]. Very tolerant of hot dry conditions[11]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[11] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[3]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Prefers a pH of 6 or lower[7]. Somewhat tender in Britain, at least in the north of the country[11], it also seems to be short-lived[6]. Plants do not succeed at Kew[3]. Cultivated as a timber crop in China[10]. Cones can remain closed on the tree for a number of years, opening after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow rapidly in the ashes of the fire[7]. Plants are subject to injury by the wind[3][11]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7]. The crushed foliage has the scent of grass[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  11. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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