Callitropsis
Encyclopedia
Callitropsis is a genus
of cypresses in the family Cupressaceae
, with several native to North America
and one native to Vietnam
in southeast Asia
.
Farjon et al. (2002) described the new genus Xanthocyparis to accommodate the new Vietnamese species X. vietnamensis and another species, X. nootkatensis, the Nootka Cypress, which had been formerly included in the genus Chamaecyparis
as C. nootkatensis. This was based in part on the discovery that C. nootkatensis was more closely related to the genus Cupressus
than to Chamaecyparis (Gadek et al. 2000).
Little et al. (2004), while confirming the above relationship with further evidence, pointed out that as circumscribed by Farjon et al., Xanthocyparis included the type species of Callitropsis (Cupressus nootkatensis, a synonym of Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Xanthocyparis nootkatensis). Callitropsis had been described by Oersted in 1864 but this name had been overlooked by Farjon and most other authors; under the rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, Callitropsis as the earlier-published name has nomenclatural priority over Xanthocyparis if that genus includes Cupressus nootkatensis. Little et al. therefore recognized Xanthocyparis as a synonym of Callitropsis. The name Xanthocyparis has since been proposed for conservation over Callitropsis (Mill & Farjon 2006), but unless that proposal is approved at the next International Botanical Congress
in 2011, these species are correctly classified as Callitropsis if they are recognized in a genus distinct from any other.
Little et al. (2004) also presented evidence that Cupressus is paraphyletic with respect to Juniperus and Callitropsis, with the North American species of Cupressus being more closely related to Callitropsis than they are to the Europe
an and Asian Cupressus species. These species have been transferred to Callitropsis by Little (2006), but this transfer has not been universally accepted. (Hogan and Frankis, 2009)
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of cypresses in the family Cupressaceae
Cupressaceae
The Cupressaceae or cypress family is a conifer family with worldwide distribution. The family includes 27 to 30 genera , which include the junipers and redwoods, with about 130-140 species in total. They are monoecious, subdioecious or dioecious trees and shrubs from 1-116 m tall...
, with several native to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and one native to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
in southeast Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Farjon et al. (2002) described the new genus Xanthocyparis to accommodate the new Vietnamese species X. vietnamensis and another species, X. nootkatensis, the Nootka Cypress, which had been formerly included in the genus Chamaecyparis
Chamaecyparis
Chamaecyparis is a genus of conifers in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to eastern Asia and western and eastern North America. In the nursery trade it is often incorrectly known as "false cypress" for lack of other common name, so as to distinguish it from other similar genera bearing...
as C. nootkatensis. This was based in part on the discovery that C. nootkatensis was more closely related to the genus Cupressus
Cupressus
The genus Cupressus is one of several genera within the family Cupressaceae that have the common name cypress; for the others, see cypress. It is considered a polyphyletic group...
than to Chamaecyparis (Gadek et al. 2000).
Little et al. (2004), while confirming the above relationship with further evidence, pointed out that as circumscribed by Farjon et al., Xanthocyparis included the type species of Callitropsis (Cupressus nootkatensis, a synonym of Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Xanthocyparis nootkatensis). Callitropsis had been described by Oersted in 1864 but this name had been overlooked by Farjon and most other authors; under the rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, Callitropsis as the earlier-published name has nomenclatural priority over Xanthocyparis if that genus includes Cupressus nootkatensis. Little et al. therefore recognized Xanthocyparis as a synonym of Callitropsis. The name Xanthocyparis has since been proposed for conservation over Callitropsis (Mill & Farjon 2006), but unless that proposal is approved at the next International Botanical Congress
International Botanical Congress
International Botanical Congress is a large-scale meeting of botanists in all scientific fields, from all over the world. Authorized by the International Association of Botanical and Mycological Societies , congresses are held every six years with the venue circulating around the world. The XVIII...
in 2011, these species are correctly classified as Callitropsis if they are recognized in a genus distinct from any other.
Little et al. (2004) also presented evidence that Cupressus is paraphyletic with respect to Juniperus and Callitropsis, with the North American species of Cupressus being more closely related to Callitropsis than they are to the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and Asian Cupressus species. These species have been transferred to Callitropsis by Little (2006), but this transfer has not been universally accepted. (Hogan and Frankis, 2009)
Species
- Callitropsis nootkatensisCallitropsis nootkatensisNootka Cypress , formerly Cupressus nootkatensis, Xanthocyparis nootkatensis or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, is a cypress with a chequered taxonomic and nomenclatural history. This species goes by many common names including Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, and Alaska Cypress...
- Nootka Cypress - Callitropsis vietnamensisCallitropsis vietnamensisCallitropsis vietnamensis, commonly known as the Vietnamese Golden Cypress, is a coniferous tree in the cypress family.-Distribution:...
- Vietnamese Golden Cypress