The Italian cypress is an arboreal conifer with a conical to columnar shape, and a foliage that can expand. The horizontal branches bear dense grey-green or dark green leaves, up to 1mm long. The female cones, spherical to ovoid, are spiny and brown, 2.5-3.5cm long with 8-14 scales. Native to the Mediterranean region, the Italian cypress grows in warm climates with dry summers and is sensitive to prolonged frosts. It is used as an ornamental and its wood is prized for its quality, durability and resistance to pests. Conical or columnar to expanded coniferous tree. The horizontal branches bear dense twigs of grey-green or dark green leaves, without glands, up to 1mm long, with rounded tips, which later become pointed. The spherical to ovoid, spiny, brown female cones, 2.5-3.5cm long, have 8-14 scales. The name of the genus probably derives from Cyprus, the Latin name of the island of Cyprus, where the plant has been known since ancient times. The Italian cypress is native to the Mediterranean region, from where it was spread through cultivation throughout southern Europe. It grows in areas with a hot climate, with dry summers, suffering from prolonged frosts. Currently in Europe the Italian cypress is affected by a parasitic fungus, the deutoromycete Coryneum cardinale Wag., which was detected in Italy in Tuscany at the beginning of the 1950s and has since spread widely. The species is used as an ornamental in parks and street trees and in some areas of peninsular Italy it is a characteristic element of the landscape. We also use wood which is of excellent quality, light yellow in colour, odorous, durable, resistant to parasites. The essence called "cypress oil" is extracted from the ramuli, which has applications in medicine to treat coughs. The varieties horizontalis, with expanded foliage, and stricta, with columnar foliage, are cultivated.