Practical
Plants

Cupressus sempervirens

Italian 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
Growth rate
moderate
Height
30 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

Poisonous[15]. No more details.

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 cones and young branches are anthelmintic, antipyretic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic and vasoconstrictive[14][12][9]. They are harvested in late winter and early spring, then dried for later use[14]. Taken internally, it is used in the treatment of whooping cough, the spitting up of blood, spasmodic coughs, colds, flu and sore throats[10]. Applied externally as a lotion or as a diluted essential oil (using an oil such as almond), it astringes varicose veins and haemorrhoids, tightening up the blood vessels[10]. A foot bath of the cones is used to cleanse the feet and counter excessive sweating[10]. The extracted essential oil should not be taken internally without professional guidance[10]. A resin is obtained from the tree by making incisions in the trunk[14]. This has a vulnerary action on slow-healing wounds and also encourages whitlows to come to a head[14]. An essential oil from the leaves and cones is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Astringent'[7].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Balsamic
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

An essential oil is distilled from the shoots. It is used in perfumery and soap making[1][12][13]. The leaves contain about 2% essential oil whilst the wood contains about 2.5%[9]. An infusion of the wood is used in footbaths to combat perspiration of the feet[14]. Wood - fragrant, very hard and durable. A popular wood for building uses, cabinet making and wardrobes, especially since it retains its fragrance, repels moths and is impervious to woodworm[1][14][2][17].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
S. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Rocky mountainous areas, usually near the coast, in S. Europe[11][17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
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[4]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[4]. 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[3]. 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[3]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[1]. April/May is the best time to take cuttings[3].

Cultivation

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

Thrives in a deep well-drained loamy or peaty soil[2]. Established plants are very tolerant of hot dry conditions and drought[16]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[16] but is then more subject to damage by white-scale insects in a succession of dry seasons[2]. Plants are not very happy when growing on chalky soils but they thrive on limestone[6]. Requires a sunny position[16]. This species is somewhat tender in Britain especially when young and at least in the north of the country[16], it grows best in the south and the west[2]. Trees are probably much hardier than has been supposed. No trees were reported as killed by the very severe winter of 1962 - 3, even some trees east of Edinburgh survived without damage. A healthy tree at Cambridge botanical gardens was 6 metres tall in 1989[K]. Growth can be quite vigorous, especially in young trees, with many averaging 60cm a year[5]. Growth slows and almost comes to a halt when the tree is 12 - 15 metres tall[5]. New growth takes place from mid-May to mid-October[5]. Plants are subject to injury by the wind[1][2]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[6]. The seed takes two summers to mature[8]. Mature cones can remain unopened on the tree for a number of years[16]. They open after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow away quickly in the ashes of the fire[6]. Plants are resentful of root disturbance, any transplanting should be done in April or September when the roots are in active growth[2][16]. A very variable plant[2].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  3. 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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  8. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩

  9. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  14. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  17. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2

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