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Characteristics
 Family-
Cupressaceae--The Cypress Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Decidous tree
- Coastal Ecology
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Taxodium distichum is the Bald cypress, an Obligate Wetland species. Baldcypress is a signature species of the southern coastal swamps and is well known in coastal areas, where it occurs at the edge of lakes and rivers and other low, wet areas. it is found naturally on the barrier islands only in the infrequent cypress swamp forests occurring in wet swales or along the margins of flooded pools. Baldcypress will tolerate slightly brackish water and may be found in mainland estuarine areas adjacent to river floodplains and pools. Bald cypress trees may be best known by their distinctly buttressed bases with upward, projecting roots called "cypress knees." Bald cypress is a deciduous conifer, with its short needle-like leaves turning brown and falling in October and November. The leaves of Bald cypress are alternate and medium green, appearing compound but actually needle-like on branchlets that turn cinnamon brown and drop as an entire unit in autumn. The branchlets are elongate, drooping and 3 to 4 inches long by 1 inch wide, and are arranged in a whorled manner on the branches. Seed cones are bluish when immature, later brownish gray and woody, globose and about 3/4 inch in diameter. Two varieties of Bald cypress grow along the Carolina coast. The true Bald Cypress is seen here, with spreading needle like leaves arranged in two flat rows.
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