Cupressaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Taxodium distichum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Taxodium distichum is an evergreen to deciduous tree depending on the environment in which it grows. The straight trunk is enlarged basally, it can be up to 400cm in diameter and is often conspicuously buttressed; the crown is conic when young, often becoming irregularly flattopped or deliquescent (branched and so divided that the main axis cannot be determined) with age; it can grow up to 50 metres tall, though is usually smaller[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The young shoots are of two kinds: (1) the leading ones, which are persistent and have the leaves spirally arranged; (2) the others, very slender, annual, and falling away in autumn along with the leaves; this latter kind of shoot has no buds[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. The tree produces a valuable, very durable timber and is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis. The tree is also harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and is widely grown as an ornamental. Although commonly exploited for timber, this species is still widespread and abundant. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern and eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida, also southern Missouri and Illinois to Alabama, Texas, Mexico and Guatemala

HabitatWet sites that are under water for at least part of the year[ 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. ], and often overlying calcareous soils[ 43 Title Gray's Manual of Botany.Eighth Edition Publication Author Fernald. M. L. Publisher American Book Co.; New York Year 1950 ISBN 0442222505 Description A bit dated but a good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America. ]. Often found where the water is brackish[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].