Cupressus lusitanica Mill. var. benthamii (Endl.) Carrière
For a description of the type see Cupressus lusitanica Mill. The variety benthamii is an evergreen, narrowly conical tree in which the branchlets are flattened, giving a fern-like appearance, with fissured brown bark, bright green leaves, to 3mm long, and spherical blue, then brown female cones, to 1.5cm across. To 20m. [RHSD, Hortus, Hilliers'].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to England in 1836. [JD]. ‘Cupressus benthami, Endlicher, Synopsis Conif. (1847) p.59.’ Synonyms given include C. sempervirens mexicana Pavon. This may be the source of the somewhat misleading name of “Cupressus sempervirens – thurifera” given by Macarthur. ‘C. sempervirens L., of the Old World, is said to be cultivated in Mexico.’ [Contributions from the United States National Herbarium – Trees and Shrubs of Mexico v.23 part 1, p.62/1920].
‘Cupressus thurifera (Schlechtendahl); Found near Anganguco and Tlalpuxahua, forming a tree 50 to 60 feet high. [BR misc.101, p.64/1839].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [C.29/1850]. Probably obtained from Loddiges’ in 1844. In a letter to Loddiges’ nursery dated 6th January 1845, thanking them for the latest delivery, Macarthur commented that the Cupressus thurifera was a great acquisition, although it was still included in a list of desiderata in the same letter. [MP A2933-2, p.28]. It may have been received earlier as Cupressus thurifera was included in a consignment of plants sent from Kew by John Bidwill in November 1834 [AJCP].
Notes
See also Cupressus uhdeana Gord. ex Carrière.
Published Aug 01, 2009 - 02:16 PM | Last updated Sep 05, 2011 - 05:20 PM
| Family | Cupressaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Central America |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Cedar of Goa, Mexican cypress |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Cupressus sempervirens – thurifera |
| Confidence level | medium |