Monoecious or dioecious much branched trees or shrubs. Leaves if well developed, acicular, linear or linear‑lanceolate and in whorls of 3 or reduced, scale‑like and opposite‑decussate; often both types on the same plant. Male cones with 3‑5 sporangia per scale. Female cones woody or berry‑like. Seeds winged or not.

19 genera and 130 species, cosmopolitan. Represented by 3 genera and c. 10 species. The majority cultivated.

Lower Taxa

• Cupressus L.
• Juniperus L.,
• Thuja L.