The name of the genus derives from the Greek 'Kypros,' meaning Cyprus, an Aegean island where the species grows widely. The species name, 'sempervirens,' refers to its longevity; the cypress can in fact live up to 2,000 years.
It is an evergreen tree, with a slender habit that can reach up to 30 meters in height.
The cypress is highly adaptable to various soil characteristics; it can thrive in sandy, clayey, schistose soils, those containing limestone, and even slightly saline soils.
The species is thermophilic and xerophilic, therefore adapted to climatic conditions with an irregular distribution of rainfall. Its resistance to heat is particularly pronounced.
The trunk is columnar and vigorous in appearance. The bark is brownish-gray, with longitudinal striations.
The plant has a taproot system that can penetrate deeply. Sometimes, roots also spread at the surface over considerable distances.
The leaves are small and scale-like (0.5 to 2 mm), dark gray-green in color. They are arranged one above the other like overlapping tiles.
The plant is monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers are found on the same individual. The male cones (microsporophylls) are ovoid, yellowish, and found at the tips of the branches; the female cones (macrosporophylls) are ellipsoid and made up of polygonal scales. Flowering (anthesis) occurs from February to May; pollination is carried out by the wind.
The fruits resemble small spheres and are called cones or galbuli. They are green when immature and turn brownish-gray as they develop. They consist of woody scales shaped like pentagonal shields and contain from 5 to 20 seeds (achenes). The cones open (dehisce) with the arrival of the hot-dry season.
The wood is very hard, gray-yellowish in color, aromatic, and not resinous. It is characterized by being almost rot-proof and resistant to woodworm, making it highly sought after for furniture and window frames.
The cypress is one of the symbolic trees of the Mediterranean landscape. Its presence and diffusion in Italy is entirely due to human intervention, as it is not a native species. The Greeks regarded it as both a symbol of feminine beauty and a funerary symbol. Its slender shape and evergreen nature were thought to symbolize the soul of the deceased rising toward the sky. Horace described how the dead were buried with a branch of cypress, and according to Pliny, cypress branches were hung on the doors of houses as a sign of mourning. The species was also considered a symbol of hospitality; its presence in front of a house indicated that the family offered lodging. The plant has always inspired poets (including Pascoli and Carducci).
Because of its resistance to water, its wood was used to build the fleets of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire. It is certain that the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica were made of cypress.
It has always been used to line roads with trees. Young individuals have the remarkable ability to quickly regenerate parts that have been pruned. This characteristic is exploited in gardening to form hedges or green walls (topiary art).
By distilling the leaves, branches, and cones, one obtains 'oleum cupressi,' which has a refreshing, camphor-resinous fragrance. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries.
The most common pathogen affecting cypress is Seiridium cardinale, the agent of canker disease. This fungus enters the plant tissues through wounds in the bark. For over 50 years, Seiridium has been devastating cypress populations in many Mediterranean countries. The damage is particularly significant in Italy, especially in Tuscany and Umbria, where the cypress has considerable landscape and ornamental value.