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Bald-Cypress
Taxodium distichum Brongn.
(taks-O-di-um DIS-ti-kum)
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Pond-Cypress
Taxodium ascendens (L.) Rich
(taks-O-di-um as-SEN-denz)
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General:
Cypress trees are
conifers (cone bearing plants) that are related to the giant Sequoia
trees of California. The Bald-Cypress is said to be the largest
trees east of the Rocky Mountains, often growing to 30 m. (150 ft) with
trunks 3+ m. (10+ ft.) in diameter.
Because these species
of Cypress interbreed, we will discuss them together. In some
cases the characteristics of both species can appear on the same
tree. In some areas these differences may be distinct.
Both Bald-Cypress and
Pond-Cypress are deciduous (lose their leaves in winter). Then
they look like spooky ghosts with Spanish Moss hanging on dead
skeletons, but when spring comes they are reborn with beautiful
yellow-green foliage.
Their “knees,” part of
the root system, and buttressed trunks are believed to supply oxygen to
the roots and support the trees in the loose, wet soil.
Flowers/Fruit:
The male cones are in loose, purple clusters. The female cones, cypress balls, are about 2.5 cm. (1 in.) in diameter.
Leaves/Stems:
The needlelike leaves
[8-20 mm (½- ¾ in.)] of the Bald-Cypress have a
featherlike appearance as they grow flat along both sides of the
branchlets. Pond-Cypress leaves lie close to the tiny branches
giving it a scale-like appearance.
Distribution:
Bald-Cypress is
associated with moving water, such as river swamps, spring runs,
streams and lakes. Pond-Cypress grows in still or slow moving
water of ponds.
Bald-Cypress occurs in
the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Delaware to Texas and also in
the Mississippi Valley north to southern Illinois. Pond-Cypress is
found in a more limited range with a northern limit of Virginia.
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