The Italian cypress tree (ċipress) goes by the scientific name of cupressus semprevirens. This tree is thought to be native of the Eastern Mediterranean; but this is difficult to establish since it has been horticulturally grown for millennia.
In Malta, this cypress was a relatively recent introduction since it was probably brought into the islands only some 500 years ago. Today, it is found planted in many areas and in some places it has even become naturalised, managing to establish itself in the wild. We find two forms of this tree – one with a rather irregular shape while the other is shaped more like a column.
Interestingly, the ancient Greeks and Romans referred to this tree as the “mournful tree”, since it was sacred to the gods of the underworld. It was also customary then, as it is nowadays, to plant an Italian cypress by a grave.
The Italian cypress is a large evergreen tree capable of growing to a towering height of 25 metres; although usually it does not grow this tall. It has dark leaves which are small and scale-like. On the same tree, both male and female flowers are produced – the latter forming the cones found on the cypress tree. These cones are made up of a dozen of scales which are at first green and when maturing after two years, they become greyish-brown and corky. These cones are capable of producing many angular-winged seeds.
The Italian cypress is considered to be a strictly protected tree under national legislation and one should not prune, fell or uproot this tree without previously obtaining the necessary permits from the competent authorities.
More information may be obtained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity.
Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.