“A 50,000 year old bald cypress forest was discovered underwater…”– Fun Facts
Entire plant image, Taxodium distichum (Lambique, 2012a)
Bald Cypress was originally described as Cupressus disticha by Carl von Linnaeus (1753). The name was changed to Taxodium distichum by Richard (1802). It has also been referred to as Cuprespinnata disticha (Nelson, 1866), although this name is no longer accepted (Tropicos, 2024). Many varieties have been proposed, but the only ones accepted today are Taxodium distichum var. distichum, var. imbricarium (Nutt.) Croom, and var. mexicanum (Carrière) Gordon & Glend (POWO, 2024).
Bald cypress may be confused with the yew (Taxus spp.), two species of which are grown as ornamentals in Utah. Yews also have distichous needle arrangement, but each needle is much larger than those of the Bald Cypress, being 1-1.5 in (2-3 cm) long. Also, the Taxus species in Utah grow to be much smaller, only reaching 6.5 ft (2 m) or 23 ft (7 m), depending on the species. Further, yews produce a bright red aril (fleshy seed coat) in place of a cone (Welsh, 2003).
Bald Cypress often grow in swamps alongside rivers. Their ‘knees’ are above-ground roots that may help the plant get oxygen when growing in water (Briand, 2000).
In 2013, a 50,000 year old bald cypress forest was discovered underwater off the coast of Alabama, with wood so well preserved that the sap still smelled fresh. The trees were probably preserved in ocean sediments until Hurricane Katrina unearthed them. When found, the forest was functioning as a kind of pseudo coral reef for the marine life. Over time, it will likely deteriorate from marine organisms consuming the wood (Ghose, 2013).
Native
Introduced
Taxodium distichum commonly grows in swamps of the southeastern US, where it is critical for soil stabilization and erosion control. It grows best in areas with little to no drainage and a layer of organic matter that may be several inches thick. It is often associated with sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), blackgum (Nyssa biflora), red swamp bay (Persea palustris), etc. (Monk, 1965). In medium-sized swamps, other species are abundant, but in larger swamps, the bald cypress is a dominant species (Ewel & Wickenheiser, 1988). The seeds are eaten by various bird species, including grosbeaks and wild turkeys, as well as squirrels (Norman, 1983).
Bald Cypress is listed by the IUCN as least concern. It was last evaluated in 2011 (Farjon, 2013).
