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False Cypress Wikimedia Commons
Cupressaceae

False Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Longevity and sacred beauty.

Family
Cupressaceae
Genus
Chamaecyparis
Native to
Japan, Taiwan
Bloom season
Spring
Type
evergreen conifer
Height
50-75 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist, well-drained, acidic
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood is one of the most sacred building materials in Japan, used for shrines and temples for over 1,000 years.
  • The tiny pollen-producing male flowers turn red-brown in spring, releasing clouds of pollen on the wind.
  • Hinoki wood has a distinctive lemony fragrance and is naturally resistant to rot, insects, and fungi.
  • The Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan, built with hinoki wood in the 7th century, is one of the oldest wooden structures in the world.
  • In Japanese culture, hinoki baths (ofuro) are treasured for their aromatherapy and antibacterial properties.

Color meanings

0

immortality

1

spiritual purity

Uses

  • ornamental tree
  • timber
  • bonsai
  • Japanese garden design