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Scientific name: Cupressus funebris Endlicher 1847
Synonyms: Chamaecyparis funebris (Endl.) Franco, Cupressus pendula Abel, Juniperus quaternata Miq., Platycyparis funebris (Endl.) A.V.Bobrov & Melikyan
Common names: Chinese weeping cypress, Funereal cypress, Mourning cypress (English), Bai mu (Chinese)
Tree to 25(-35) m tall, with trunk to 2 m in diameter. Bark reddish brown, fibrous, smooth to shallowly furrowed. Crown dense, with short branches drooping at the ends with age and supporting weeping branchlets. Branchlets flattened, 1-1.5 mm wide, branching from just two rows of leaves (the lateral ones). Scale leaves on branchlets 1-1.5 mm long, light green to grayish green with wax, differentiated into facial and lateral pairs of similar size, the facial leaves with a shallow, elongate, inactive gland, the lateral leaves folded around the branchlet and glandless. Pollen cones 2.5-5 mm long, with four or five (to seven) pairs of pollen scales. Seed cones spherical (0.8-)1.2-1.5(-1.8) cm long, dark brown at maturity, with three or four (to six) pairs of seed scales, each with a prominent central point on the face, the surface otherwise smooth. Seeds (one to) five to nine per scale, 2.5-3.5 mm long, light brown, the wings narrow. Cotyledons two.
The epithet funebris means "of the funeral", a reference to the tree's traditional use for coffin wood. First noticed by the members of Lord Macartney’s mission to China in 1793, but introduced by Fortune in 1849.
Widespread across the provinces of central and southern China from Anhui, Zhejiang, and Fujian to Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Forming pure stands or scattered in mixed forests on moist soils; 300-2,260 m.
Red List Category & Criteria: Data Deficient
There is currently no way, without intensive fieldwork and study, to ascertain the true extent of wild populations and their conservation status due to the extent to which the species has been planted and subsequently naturalized across very large areas of central and southern China. The “natural habitat” referred to in the earlier assessment is unknown, therefore it is not possible to justify the Near Threatened category. It is just as likely that this species could be of Least Concern as it is that it could be Critically Endangered in the wild. Therefore, it is assessed as Data Deficient until further information becomes available.
This species is found in mixed mountain forest or (degraded) woodland associated with Platycarya strobilacea, Vitex negundo, Ligustrum sp., Viburnum sp., Pittosporum sp., Myrsine africana, and Vitex negundo; in calcareous soil or in sandy loam over sandstone; also widely planted and probably invading into disturbed vegetation locally. The altitudinal range of this species is between 300 m and 2260 m a.s.l. The above information refers to the habitat of extant naturalized populations and cannot be reliably considered an accurate description of the species in its true wild state.
The wide distribution of this species cited in the Chinese literature (including Flora of China 4: 67. 1999) is to a large extent based on planted or introduced trees outside the indisputably wild populations. Occurrence in natural forests is rare due to widespread deforestation and alteration of natural vegetation in much of central China. The possibility of secondary establishment from cultivated trees outside its original range makes evaluation of threat to wild populations of this species extremely difficult. This species is not considered to be threatened, but its natural habitat (mixed conifer-angiosperm forest) certainly is.
This species is widely planted in China as an ornamental, it is especially common in Buddhist temple grounds. Its wood is also considered valuable due to its durability and traditionally it was used for coffins for this reason. In Europe it is uncommon in cultivation and most of the older extant trees are based on seed collection by Ernest Wilson made in Hubei Province, China, in 1907. In horticulture it is often referred to as Chamaecyparis funebris due to the flattened foliage and small cones.
This species is recorded from several protected areas; however, it is uncertain if they are the result of introductions or naturalization.
Copyright © Aljos Farjon, James E. Eckenwalder, IUCN, Conifers Garden. All rights reserved.
