Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Plant Family: Cupressaceae
Leaves: Short flat needles, usually spread out in two ranks from the twigs; on some branches the needles may be pressed against the twigs to some degree. The needles are shed in the fall.
Bark: Gray to brown, smooth, lightly fissured on older trees, the trunk is usually buttressed at the base and the branches are brown.
Cones: A round green cone, to 3 cm, turning brown at maturity; all year.
Habitat: Swamps, stream borders, and wet habitats with slow moving water.
Growth Form: A large tree with a thick buttressed base. Knob-like root growths called cypress knees may be present in deeper water.
Similar Species: Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens) has leaves with the needles usually pressed against the twig, is found in standing water, and is less likely to possess cypress knees.
Comments: Bald Cypress are tall, stately trees related to the Redwoods and Sequoias of California. They are found throughout Florida and in the lowlands of the southern States and also inhabit the Mississippi watershed as far north as southern Illinois. Some taxonomists consider Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress to be varieties of the same species.
