Taxodium

Taxodium is a genus of deciduous conifers in the cypress family Cupressaceae. It comprises two or three living species depending on classification: Taxodium distichum, the bald cypress; Taxodium ascendens, the pondcypress; and Taxodium mucronatum, the Montezuma cypress. The genus is native to wetland regions of the southeastern United States and to Mexico and parts of Central America, with a fossil record dating to the Miocene.

Description and characteristics are notable for their feathery, deciduous foliage and distinctive growth form. Leaves are small and arranged in two ranks on slender shoots, giving a flat-needled appearance. In autumn the canopy typically turns coppery or yellow before leaf fall. The trees produce small cones and often develop buttressed trunks; in swampy habitats some individuals form knee-like pneumatophores that project above the water surface to aid gas exchange. Taxodium species are long-lived and can reach considerable size under favorable conditions.

Habitat and distribution follow their ecological preferences. Bald cypress and pondcypress favor swamps, floodplains, and riverine forests, tolerating seasonal inundation and acidic, poorly drained soils. Montezuma cypress occurs in river valleys and semi-arid areas of Mexico and adjacent regions, and tends to occupy drier sites than the northern species. They are valued for their timber, which is light and durable in wet conditions, and for ornamental use in parks and landscapes, especially near water features.

Conservation and cultivation notes indicate that some populations face habitat loss and overexploitation in parts of their range, while others persist in protected areas and through cultivation.