Bald Cypress
Scan Taken - 9/22/2021 by Sebastian Ashman
General Information
The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a conifer, meaning that it has cones instead of flowers that are used for reproduction. It's leaves range from about 5 to 15 centimeters and are covered with small needles that are about 5 to 15 millimeters long. Fully grown, the Bald Cypress can grow up to 40 meters tall. Taxodium distichum often resides in swampy, wet areas. It is also crucial for ecosystems as their seeds provide a source of food and their branches a home for animals.
Bald Cyprus (Taxodium distichum)
Specimen Observed 9/22/2021 at MICDS
East of STEM Building ~40 meters from Warson Road
Can be seen next to bridge that crosses dry stream
38°39'35" N 90°23'45" W Ladue, MO, United States
180 m (610 ft) Elevation
Wet Swampy Grassland Biome
7.5 - 9 m (25-30 ft) Height
Observations made by Sebastian Ashman
Photograph of reproductive cones on Bald Cypress tree
Location of Bald Cypress specimen as seen from exit out of room 104 9/30/2021
(Bald Cypress Swamp) The Bald Cypress is commonly found in swamps
Fun Facts About the Bald Cypress
Some Taxodium distichum trees in Missouri are up to 1,000 years old
The Bald Cypress is Louisiana's state tree
The Bald Cypress is excellent at providing shade
The Cypress in Culture
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Highly acclaimed 19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who is well known for the poem "Paul Revere's Ride" wrote the extensive poem "Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie" which mentions the cypress tree multiple times throughout. "Over their heads the towering and tenebrous boughs of the cypress" "Gleamed on the columns of cypress and cedar sustaining the arches" "The house itself was of timbers . . . hewn from the cypress-tree, and carefully fitted together" (Longfellow)
Click here to read the whole poem.
(Ancient Bald Cypress)
