Cupressus atlantica
Moroccan cypress
Cupressus atlantica, commonly known as the Atlas cedar, is a majestic coniferous evergreen native to the Atlas Mountains. Valued for its impressive stature and aromatic timber, this resilient species plays a vital role in Mediterranean ecosystems. Beyond its ecological significance, it holds traditional importance in regional forestry and craftsmanship.
- Scientific name: Cupressus atlantica
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its classification through the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, it is situated in the family Cupressaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Cupressus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Cupressaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cupressus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cupressus atlanticus, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Bulgarian, it is referred to as Марроккански кипарис, while in Hebrew, it is called ברוש אטלנטי. Its Arabic name is سرو أطلסי, and in Basque, it is known as Atlasa cipreso. Additionally, in Catalan, the plant is commonly called Xiprer del Marroc.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| bg | Марокански кипарис | Wikidata |
| he | ברוש אטלנטי | Wikidata |
| ar | سرو أطلسي | Wikidata |
| eo | Atlasa cipreso | Wikidata |
| ca | Xiprer del Marroc | Wikidata |
| nb | Marokkansk sypress | Wikidata |
| fa | سرو مراکشی | Wikidata |
| kab | Azel | Wikidata |
| en | Moroccan Cypress | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Cupressus atlanticus, exhibits a highly specific and restricted geographical range. Its primary natural habitat is located within the northern reaches of the African continent. Specifically, this medicinal species is found growing in the unique landscapes of Morocco. Because of this limited presence, it is considered an endemic feature of the local North African flora. Consequently, its distribution is defined by this single, significant regional occurrence.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
Chemicals
Cupressus atlantica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |