Bentham Cypress
Hesperocyparis benthamii
- Native to:
- Mexico
Alan Rockefeller https://www.inaturalist.org/people/alan_rockefeller (www.inaturalist.org),Alan Rockefeller https://www.inaturalist.org/people/alan_rockefeller (www.inaturalist.org),Alan Rockefeller https://www.inaturalist.org/people/alan_rockefeller (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Genus:
- Hesperocyparis
- Species:
- Hesperocyparis benthamii
- USDA Symbol:
- HEBE3
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from epicormic buds after fire; populations often associated with fire-prone habitats in Mexican highlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy loam soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mountainous regions, prefers open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI