Cupressus

/kjuːˈprɛsəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of evergreen coniferous trees commonly known as cypresses, characterized by small scale-like leaves and columnar forms.

Etymology

From Latin 'cupressus,' which ultimately derives from Greek 'kyparissos.' The word may have Semitic origins and has been used for these trees since ancient times.

Kelly Says

Cypress trees are symbols of mourning in Mediterranean culture because they're so recognizable silhouettes in cemeteries—they appear in countless paintings and poems, making them one of the most symbolically loaded trees in Western art.

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