2 
PINETUM BRITANNICUM 
consisting of 8-12 peltate woody sub-orbicular or somewhat angled scales, from whose centre protrudes 
a short stout mucro; seeds numerous, oblong, brown, begirt by a narrow membranous wing. Seed- 
leaves in fours, teste Gordon. In a young seedling of this plant furnished by Messrs. Veitch, the radicle 
was tapering, the caulicle slender, erect, red, the cotyledons 2 (not 4, as described by Gordon), leafy, linear, 
spreading. The two first leaves were opposite, and separated from the next two decussating pairs by 
a longish interval. 
The plant is, as has previously been said, exceedingly variable in habit, and some of these variations 
have had distinct names : thus, the variety with upright branches is known as C. macrocarpa var fastigiata . 
The original plants grown from Lambert’s seed were spreading in their habit; hence the name Lambertiana 
was at one time frequently given to those trees with spreading habit, that of macrocarpa being reserved for 
the more pyramidal or fastigiate forms ; but both forms, and many intermediates, may be derived from seeds 
from the same tree. In young plants the bark of the Lambertiana form is often a duller red on the young 
shoots than in macrocarpa , where it is brighter. The coloured Plate represents a tree planted at Osborne 
on 26th August 1846, by the late Prince Consort, who (according to the late Mr. Andrew Toward, who 
had charge of the grounds) took a great interest in its growth and development. This specimen is 
strikingly characteristic of what is known as C. Lambertiana. In 1865, when the drawing was made, the 
tree was nearly 40 feet high. At Bicton are some good specimens of the normal type, of fastigiate habit. 
Gordon describes a variety Crippsi , of which specimens exist in his herbarium now at Kew. It is a 
compact form, with the free pointed primordial leaves persistent, silvery-white when young. There is 
also a golden variegated form figured in the Illustration Horticole , 1869, t. 587. 
Geographical Distribution. —The only certainly known localities for this fine species are in the woods 
near the coast by Monterey, south of San Francisco. It was at one time supposed, according to American 
intelligence quoted in the Gardeners Chronicle of March 25, 1876 (p. 401), to be also indigenous in 
Guadeloupe island, about 100 miles from the southernmost part of the coast of California; but according 
to Engelmann in the “ Botany of California,” this differs from C. macrocarpa , and is to be described as C. 
Guadeloupensis. It is in cultivation at San Francisco, and “ will probably prove a valuable ornamental tree.” 
History. —According to Gordon, seeds of a Cypress were given to the Horticultural Society of 
London in 1838, by Mr. Lambert, without name or other information. These seeds were raised, and the 
seedlings proving different from any other Cypress known, the plant received the garden name of C. 
Lambertiana , a name which does not appear to have been formally published. Gordon further tells 
us that on subsequently visiting Mr. Low’s nursery at Clapton he observed a plant of the same kind which 
had been received from California, through Dr. Fischer of St. Petersburg. In 1846, Hartweg, writing an 
account of his mission to California in search of plants for the Horticultural Society, mentions finding his 
No. 143 Cupressus macrocarpa, at Carmel Bay. The tree is described by him as “attaining the height of 
60 feet, with a stem of 9 feet in circumference, with far-spreading branches flat at the top like a full-grown 
Cedar of Lebanon, which it closely resembles (when seen) at a distance.” 
Properties and Uses. —The timber is yellowish-white, extremely close-grained, and takes an excellent 
polish; but as to its market value we must wait till the tree becomes of greater age, and more plentiful, 
before its merits can be gauged financially. 
Cultivation. —This has proved one of the finest of evergreen trees, especially valuable in the southern 
counties and near the sea-coast, where its dense rich dark-green foliage constitutes an excellent screen. It 
bears clipping well, and may, therefore, be used as a hedge-plant. Inland it is more liable to be injured by 
spring frosts, and in some cases has entirely succumbed. A good, loamy, well-drained soil is the one in 
which 
