Taxodium ascendens

Taxodium ascendens, also known as pond cypress, is a deciduous conifer of the genus Taxodium, native to North America. It is often referred to by botanists as Taxodium, a type of bald Cypress (as T. distichum). imbricatum is not considered a distinct species. However, it has a different habitat. It occurs mainly in swamps, still-blackwater rivers, and ponds that aren’t flooded with silt. It is found primarily in cypress dome habitats.

Description

Taxodium ascendens reaches on average 15-18 metres (49-59 ft) in height. The leaves of T. diistichum are smaller (3-10mm) and more slender than . They also tend to grow on shorter shoots, rather than being more spread out. Even in young trees, the trunk expands at the base to aid the tree in anchoring in the muddy soil. Cones are also smaller than usual, with a diameter of 2.5 cm. The bark is also a paler gray color. Like bald cypresses, pond cypresses growing in water have a characteristic growth trait called cypress knees; these are woody projections called ‘pneumatophores’, which are sent above the water from the roots.

Distribution

This species is native to the southeastern United States, from southeastern Virginia to southeastern Louisiana and south into Florida except for the Florida Keys.

In the Everglades National Park, you will find stunted individuals of pond Cypress.