Identification key to the Cypress family (Cupressaceae)

The identification of Cupressaceae taxa, except for some local and easily distinguishable taxa, is difficult even for specialists. One reason for this is the lack of a complete key including all Cupressaceae taxa, another reason is that diagnoses and descriptions are spread over several hundred publications which are sometimes difficult to access. Based on morphological studies of about 3/4 of the species and a careful compilation of the most important descriptions of Cupressaceae, a first identification key for the entire Cypress family (Cupressaceae) could be set up. The key comprises any of the 30 genera, 134 species, 7 subspecies, 38 varieties, one form and thus all 180 taxa recognized byFarjon(2001). The key uses mainly features of adult leaves, female cones and other characters which are all relatively easy to be used. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)