Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Rashahiba' / Rashahiba Hinoki cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Rashahiba' is a small, upright, tree-form of Hinoki cypress with thick, fasciated, monstrous foliage and brachlets; gray-green in color. It is similar in appearance to Ch. obtusa 'Lycopodioides,' but with more robust structure and thicker foliage. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 4.5 feet (1.5 m) tall and 3 feet (1 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm).

"Rashahiba' is a very old cultivar that originated long ago in Japan and brought to Europe around 1900. Onuma ex Beissner provided a botanical description in 1909. At times, one sees this plant listed simply as 'Rasha' a name which invites discussion. Many cultivars of Cryptomeria japonica formerly contained the redundant epithet, "Sugi," just as "Hiba" is still seen with many cultivars of C. obtusa. In addition to this aesthetic consideration, the misspelled name, 'Rashahimba' is prevalent.