2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Evergreen cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) - although all types of Cypress trees have evergreen leaves, botanists have identified among all species of the genus Cypress (Latin Cupressus), the main genus of the Cypress family (Latin Cupressaceae), this species, adding the adjective "evergreen" to its name. This does not prevent the plant from withstanding frosts down to minus 20 degrees, as well as being resistant to prolonged drought.
What's in your name
The name of the Cypress genus stretches from time immemorial, based on legends and myths. Initially, it was a human name, which later went to a slender tree, created by "benevolent" gods from people reincarnated into a plant. Perhaps that is why a person is drawn to the Cypress, feeding from him the vital energy of distant ancestors.
The specific epithet "sempervirens" (evergreen) was given to this very species of a not too numerous genus, since since ancient times representatives of such trees grew in southern Europe, and therefore were the first to come to the attention of botanists.
The name "Evergreen cypress" has many synonyms. Since the Mediterranean is considered the homeland of the plant, it is also called "Mediterranean cypress", "Tuscan cypress", "Italian cypress". Cypress is often planted on graves (for example, in Turkey), and therefore there is a name "Cemetery cypress". In Turkish forestry, the tree is called "Black Cypress".
Description
Evergreen cypress, although it is a long-liver of the planet (lives for 1000 - 2000 years), has a rather modest size, growing to a height of 30 meters and having a trunk up to half a meter in diameter.
In Iran, where Cypresses have been grown in gardens since time immemorial, in one of the provinces there is a Cypress tree, which is about 4000 years old.
The conical crown of the tree is formed by dense branches with dark green foliage. Scale-like leaves grow from 0.2 to 0.5 cm.
The fruit of the evergreen cypress is seed cones up to 4 cm long. They are oblong or ovoid, with the number of scales from 10 to 14. As they mature, the green cones turn brown. The buds take 20 to 24 months to mature.
Usage
Evergreen cypress attracted people several millennia ago. Areas with dry, hot summers and rainy, mild winters, such as the lands of the Mediterranean, southern Australia, southwestern South Africa, are the most favorable for growing cypress. As an ornamental tree, Evergreen cypress is readily used in gardening in different countries.
Most often, ornamental evergreen cypress has a very narrow conical crown with standing branches. Trees are like dark green exclamation marks along the side of the road and joyfully greet travelers and motorists.
The wood of the evergreen cypress is distinguished by its strength and pleasant aroma, and therefore wine barrels were made from it. The doors of St. Peter's Cathedral are made of evergreen cypress wood, the construction of which was completed at the beginning of the 17th century in the Vatican. In Italy, the harpsichord is traditionally made from this type of Cypress wood.
Evergreen cypress has healing properties that are used by the cosmetic industry to combat dandruff, to maintain youthful skin, and to make perfume.
Evergreen cypress has a high fire resistance. A classic example of its fire resistance is the fire in Spain, which hit several provinces in July 2012. The botanist Bernabe Moya, who studied perennial trees, was in great sadness, because the fire put an end to his further research.
Imagine his surprise when he saw a group of tall cypresses with green crowns standing in the middle of a 20 thousand hectare forest that had been burnt to ashes.
Recommended:
Evergreen And Ground Cover Plants
On the garden plot, ground cover grasses occupy a special place, as they help to get rid of weeds in some way. These plants grow rapidly and therefore do not allow weeds to grow. They are very unpretentious in care, and will create additional bright spots in garden design
Mysterious And Evergreen Feijoa
Such a wonderful plant as feijoa was discovered in the 19th century and named after its discoverer Joanie de Silva Feijo, director of the Museum of Natural History in Brazil. Often it is also called pineapple herb or Akka Sellova. Its fruit tastes really like pineapple, strawberry or guava. Feijoa was brought to our country from South America
Draba Evergreen
Draba evergreen (lat.Draba aizoides) - a representative of the Draba genus of the Cruciferous family, or Cabbage. Another name is evergreen semolina. Under this name, the species in question is familiar to most gardeners and florists. It is found naturally in western and eastern European countries.
Evergreen Heather
When you hear the word "Heather", your imagination is drawn to the small Pictish people who lived in the north of Scotland. They brewed a heather drink that was "sweeter than honey" and intoxicated more than wine. The recipe for the drink was passed from father to son, not allowing neighboring peoples to produce anything similar to it, and left the people with the last breath of the last Pict. So the legend says
European Evergreen Clefthoof
The Creator inhabited not only the tropics with evergreens. The forests of the European part of our country, as well as the south of Western Siberia, are rich in perennial herbaceous evergreen European Kopytny. Today it can also be found in suburban areas, where it is used as a ground cover plant
