Alternate name: Rock-cedar, Post-cedar

Family: Cupressaceae, Cypress view all from this family

Description Drought-tolerant evergreen shrub or small tree. Feathery foliage grows in dense sprays, bright green color. Leaves are scale-like, 2-5 mm long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. A dioecious species, with separate male and female plants. Seed cones are globose to oblong, 3-6 mm long, and soft, pulpy and berry-like, green at first, maturing purple about 8 months after pollination. They contain 1-2 seeds, which are dispersed when birds eat the cones and pass the seeds in their droppings. The male cones are 3-5 mm long, yellow, turning brown after pollen release in December to February. Grows up to 10 m tall, rarely 15 m.

Dimensions Height: 6-9 m. (20-30')
Diameter: 0.3 m. (1').

Habitat Mountains, Scrub, shrub & brushlands, Grasslands & prairies.

Range Southeast, Plains, Texas.

Discussion Provides erosion control and year-round shade for wildlife and livestock.