Cupressus chengiana

Cupressus remains a conservative genus, now mostly represented by relict populations with comparatively little morphological variation. Silba reduced the varieties of C. chengiana to its synonyms because of lack of botanical features and distribution distinguishing them properly. In 1964, Cupressus chengiana was described by Shin Ying Hu as a new species of cypress. This species was named “ chengiana ” in honor of the forestry professor Rong Cheng (1888–1971), who discovered four different cypress taxa in China in collaboration with Dr. L. G. Fu . C. chengiana occupies an area of around 2000 km 2 distributed in about 9 natural areas. This species is considered vulnerable and in continuing decline in the number of mature trees. The declining Cheng cypress population is due above all to the past and recent exploitation for its timber of high quality. Natural populations are now mostly restricted to more inaccessible sites such as canyons and exposed cliffs.