Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Also Known As: Swamp cypress, Pond cypress, Red cypress, Gulf cypress, White cypress
Plant Family: Cypress (Cupressaceae)

Identification Guide: *Print version
Phenophase Field Guide: *Print version

2009 Live Map - View

Did you Know? They are called ‘bald’ because of their deciduous nature which is unusual in conifers. Because it is resistant to wood-rotting fungi, bald cypress is valued as softwoood lumber for shingles, trim, and especially for greenhouse benches and racks. Cypress swamps provide important habitat for endangered species like limpkins and wood storks. Cypress swamps store flood waters, serve as recharge areas for ground water, and filter pollutants from surface water. It is often planted as an ornamental tree. Trees can live over 1,200 years.

Identification Hints: The flat deciduous needles distinguish bald cypress from most other conifers. The ornamental dawn cedar (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is similar in appearance to small bald cypresses but has branchlets and needles arranged opposite (rather than alternate as found in bald cypress).

Phenological Observations of Interest: First Pollen, Full Pollen, End of Pollen, First Leaf, All Leaves Unfolded, First Ripe Fruit, 50% Color, 50% Leaf Fall

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2009 Live Map for Bald cypress

Below you can view the latest 100 observations that have been reported in 2009 for Bald cypress (If the map below is empty then there have not been any 2009 observations reported.)

Use the navigation buttons on the left to zoom in/out and pan around. Click on each place marker to get detail information about that observation.

= First Pollen
= Full Pollen
= End of Pollen
= First Leaf
= All Leaves Unfolded
= First Ripe Fruit
= 50% Color
= 50% Leaf Fall

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