Bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 16: 298 (1810))

Family: Cupressaceae

Author: (L.) Rich.

Bibliography: Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 16: 298 (1810)

Year: 1810

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Taxodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & SE. U.S.A. to Guatemala

Description

The Bald-cypress, scientifically known as Taxodium distichum, is a stately and long-lived tree that graces a variety of landscapes, particularly in the southeastern and eastern regions of the United States stretching down to Guatemala. It belongs to the family Cupressaceae, a group characterized by their coniferous features.

As one of the most distinct members of wetland ecosystems, the Bald-cypress is often found thriving in swampy areas, alongside rivers, and in standing water. Its unique adaptability to such environments is showcased by its “knees,” or pneumatophores, which are woody projections that rise above the water level, believed to aid in oxygenation for the roots submerged below.

These trees are deciduous conifers, meaning they shed their needle-like leaves in the fall, which turn to a beautiful reddish-brown hue before dropping. The foliage emerges in a soft green color in the spring, forming a fine, feathery texture that provides a delicate contrast against their rugged, buttressed trunks.

The Bald-cypress can reach impressive heights, sometimes soaring over 100 feet tall, with a trunk diameter that can span over 10 feet in ancient specimens. The wood of these trees is notably resilient against decay, making it a valuable resource historically for construction, particularly in shipbuilding and for shingles.

Beyond their ecological and economic importance, Bald-cypresses hold cultural significance, often associated with the hauntingly beautiful swamp landscapes of the United States, such as those found in the bayous of Louisiana. These trees also play crucial roles in their habitats, offering shelter and nesting sites for various wildlife and aiding in the stabilization of soil in wetland areas.

First scientifically described in 1810, the Bald-cypress continues to be a subject of fascination and study. It stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature, a majestic symbol of the regions it calls home.

This remarkable tree not only enhances the beauty of its environment but also contributes significantly to the ecological health and biodiversity of its native regions. As it stretches from the southeastern United States to the lowlands of Guatemala, the Bald-cypress remains a vital and cherished presence in the landscape.

Common Names

Deu: amerikanische sumpfzypresse, eibenzypresse, sumpfzeder, sumpfzypresse, taxodie, zweizeilige sumpfzypresse
Eng: bald-cypress, cypress, gulf cypress, red-cypress, southern cypress, swamp cypress, white-cypress, yellow-cypress, bald cypress, baldcypress, louisiana-cypress, marsh-cypress, swamp-cypress
Ita: cipresso calvo, cipresso della luisiana, cipresso delle paludi, cipresso palustre
Fra: cyprès chauve, cyprès de louisiane, cyprès de la louisiane, cyprès des marais, taxode chauve
Hun: fésus mocsárciprus
Nld: moerascipres
Por: cipreste-calvo, cipreste-de-folha-caduca, cipreste-decíduo, cipreste-do-brejo, cipreste-dos-pântanos, cipreste-vermelho, cispreste-da-luisiana, pinheiro-do-brejo
Spa: ciprés calvos, ciprés de los pantanos, taxódio distico
Slk: tisovec dvojradový
Ces: tisovec dvouradý
Rus: болотный кипарис обыкновенный (bolotnyj kiparis obyknovennyj)
Zho: 落羽杉 (luo yu shan)
Swe: sumpcypress
Nno: sumpsypress
Nob: sumpsypress
En: Bald-cypress, Swamp-cypress, Bald cypress, Southern-cypress, Tidewater Red-cypress, Southern Bald-Cypress, BALDCYPRESS, Cypress, Gulf Cypress, Red-cypress, Southern Cypress, Swamp Cypress, White-cypress, Yellow-cypress, Louisiana-cypress, Marsh-cypress, American Bald, Red Cypress, Yellow Cypress
Ar: تاكسوديم
Hy: Տաքսոդիում սովորական
Az: Adi bataqlıq sərvi
Eu: Zingira-nekosta
Be: Балотны кіпарыс звычайны
Bg: Блатен кипарис
Ca: Xiprer dels pantans, Taxodi
Zh: 落羽杉, 落羽杉 (luo yu shan)
Hr: Močvarni taksodij
Cs: Tisovec dvouřadý, Tisovec dvouradý
Da: Almindelig Sumpcypres
Nl: Moerascipres, Moerascypres
Eo: Marĉa taksodio
Et: Sooküpress
Fi: Floridansuosypressi
Fr: Cyprès chauve, Cyprès de Louisiane, Cyprès de la Louisiane, Cyprès des marais, Taxode chauve
Gl: Ciprés dos Illós
De: Echte Sumpfzypresse, Amerikanische Sumpfzypresse, Eibenzypresse, Sumpfzeder, Sumpfzypresse, Taxodie, Zweizeilige Sumpfzypresse
He: ברוש הביצות
Hu: Amerikai mocsárciprus, Fésus mocsárciprus
Is: Fenjasýprus
It: Cipresso di palude, Cipresso calvo, Cipresso della Luisiana, Cipresso delle paludi, Cipresso palustre
Ko: 낙우송
Lv: Floridas purvciprese
Lt: Dvieilis taksodis
Mk: Мочуришен чемпрес
No: Sumpsypress
Nb: Sumpsypress
Nn: Sumpsypress
Fa: دارتالاب
Pl: Cypryśnik błotny
Pt: Cipreste-calvo, Cipreste-de-folha-caduca, Cipreste-decíduo, Cipreste-do-brejo, Cipreste-dos-pântanos, Cipreste-vermelho, Cispreste-da-luisiana, Pinheiro-do-brejo
Ru: Таксодиум двурядный, Болотный кипарис обыкновенный (bolotnyj kiparis obyknovennyj)
Sr: Мочварни чемпрес
Sk: Tisovec dvojradový
Es: Ciprés de los pantanos, Ciprés calvos, Taxódio distico, Ciprés calvo
Sv: Sumpcypress
Zh-tw: 落羽松
Ta: டாக்ஸோடியம்
Zh-hant: 落羽杉
Uk: Болотяний кипарис дворядний

Synonyms

• Cuprespinnata disticha ((L.) J.Nelson)
• Cupressus disticha (L.)
• Schubertia disticha ((L.) Mirb.)
• Cupressus laeta (Salisb.)
• Taxodium distichum var. typica (A.Henry)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2017 by Guillaume EYMERIC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Marc Rondeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2020 by cthulhu mittens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Dan Castello (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Simon Schmid (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Anne Maugé (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Lopez Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2020 by Ines Guilbaud (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 12, 2019 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Teresa Clofent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2020 by Abad Ruben (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Auré Atinsi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2020 by Ines Guilbaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2019 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 8, 2019 by Go Glaso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2022 by Julianna Habling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2684191)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30052311-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 5