232 VARIETIES OF CUPRESSUS THYOIDES. 



var. leptoclada. 



A low tree of fastigiate or columnar habit with dimorphic, primordial 

 and adult foliage of a bluish grey colour, the former soon disappearing. 

 Branches numerous, close-set, erect, much ramified and terminating in 

 flattened, fan-shaped leafy expansions that are often clustered in a 

 corymbose manner. 



C. thyoides leptoclada, Masters in Journ. Linn. Soc. XXXI. 352. Chamsecyparis 

 sphseroidea andelyensis, Carriere, Traite Conif. ed. II. 123. Retinispora lepto- 

 clada, Hort. 



var. variegata. 



Of dwarfer and denser habit than the common form, from which it 

 further differs in having more than one-half of its youngest branchlets 

 light yellow. 



Other deviations from the common type have been named respectively 

 atrovirens glauca (syn. Kewensis) fastigiata, nana, pendula, pygmcea, 

 names sufficiently indicative of their distinctive character. 



Cupressus thyoides inhabits the cold swamps of the Atlantic and 

 Gulf coast plains, usually immersed during several months of the 

 year, frequently covering them at the north with pure dense forests, 

 or at the south, mingling with the deciduous Cypress, Taxodium 

 distichum. Barely extending far inland, it ranges from Maine 

 southwards to northern Florida, and westwards to the valley of 

 the Pearl river in Mississippi.* 



The White Cedar, according to Aiton, was introduced into Great 

 Britain about the year 1736 by Peter Collinsun, but there is evidence 

 that it was cultivated by Bishop Compton many years earlier. Prior to 

 the discovery and introduction of the north-west American and Japanese 

 Cypresses it was in cultivation generally throughout the country, 

 but during the last half century it has gradually receded from view, 

 a circumstance due more to local causes than to any other, for 

 although a distinct and beautiful tree when in health and vigour, the 

 White Cedar does not flourish, as might be expected from the localities 

 it affects in North America, except in constantly damp or wet soils. 



Of the varieties described above, ericoides is a "juvenile" form 

 rarely exceeding 2 to 3 feet high, well distinguished by its glaucous 

 foliage which in winter changes to violet-brown ; in dry soils, for which 

 it is unsuited, it loses its dense habit and the branchlets become much 

 tufted. leptoclada is by far the most useful and the most generally 

 cultivated of all the Cupressus thyoides forms ; it originated many years 

 ago in a French nursery and was subsequently exhibited under the name 

 of Chamcecyparis sphceroidea andelyensis, the name by which it is still 

 known in many continental gardens. The original plant was acquired 

 by Messrs. Henderson of Maida Vale, by whom the variety was 

 propagated and distributed under the name of Retinispora leptoclada^ 



The wood of Cupressus thyoides is light, soft, not strong, close-grained, 

 easily worked, slightly fragrant arid very durable in contact with the 



* Silva of North America, X. 112. 



t The varietal name andelyensis has priority of leptoclada but as the latter has been in 

 continuous use in this country for upwards of forty years, it is inexpedient to alter it. 



