A N F Keys
1 Leaves whorled, with 3 leaves uniformly arranged at each node; blades of typical scale leaves ovate, 1−3 × 0.8−1.5 mm, on whip shoots awl-shaped, 2.5−4 × 1−1.5 mm; dioecious; seed cones berrylike and fleshy, 1−2-seeded, spheroid to subspheroid, 6−12 mm, densely glaucous and light gray to light bluish, aging reddish brown when dry and lacking surface wax .. Juniperus californica [pics]
1' Leaves opposite decussate, with leaf bases strongly decurrent; blades of scale leaves < 1.5 mm long
2 Shoots strongly 2-dimensional (plagiotropic) with green branchlets in flat, fan-shaped sprays, green shoot axes 3−4 mm diameter with pairs of leaves switching in a distinctive pattern; mature seed cones 1−4-seeded, generally with 6 flattish cone scales but only the middle pair fertile .. Calocedrus decurrens [pics]
2' Shoots of "cylindric" young axes 1.2−1.4 mm diameter with scale leaves monomorphic in four vertical rows and shinglelike; mature seed cones persistent along young branches, many-seeded, with 6−10 radiating, bulky, 4−5-sided scales .. Hesperocyparis
Hesperocyparis Bartel
WESTERN CYPRESS
1 Foliage often grayish green and glaucous due to surface wax and having a dry drop of resin exudate on old leaf; seed cones often somewhat spinescent, having sharp, low points on woody scales; seed with yellowish to brown attachment scar .. Hesperocyparis arizonica [pics]
1' Foliage green and not conspicuously glaucous, lacking dry resin exudate on old leaf; seed cones not noticeably spinescent, having blunt points on woody scales; seed with whitish attachment scar .. Hesperocyparis forbesii [pics]
The text of the above keys used with permission from
A Naturalist's Flora of the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills, California
© Copyright
Barry A. Prigge and Arthur C. Gibson
2013