Synonyms: Taxodiaceae APNI*
Description: Shrubs or trees, usually much-branched, erect or rarely prostrate; monoecious or dioecious.
Leaves opposite or whorled, mature leaves usually small and scale-like, decurrent or appressed to the stem, or needle-like in some species and on young plants.
Cones solitary or clustered, axillary or terminal. Male cones usually terminal, the cone scales usually opposite or whorled, each with several sporangia. Female cones on short shoots, the scales whorled or opposite, woody [or rarely fleshy] when mature, each with 1–many erect ovules.
Seeds often winged.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 30 genera, 155 species, cosmopolitan. Australia: 5 genera, 23 species, all States.
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Cupressaceae, Order: Pinales)
Text by G. J. Harden & J. Thompson
Taxa not yet included in identification key