March’s Native Maryland Plant
Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.
Common Name: Bald Cypress
One of the most distinctive native Maryland trees, Taxodium distichum have unique adaptations that extend their native range from as far north as Delaware to as far south as Florida and along the Southeastern Texas Coastal Plain. They are a water-tolerant species, naturally found in wetlands or in water-logged, low-salinity sites that would cause most other trees to rot. Yet you can also find them inland, often planted in bioretention or reclamation sites, areas that can be inundated but also dry out.
Taxodium distichum is buttressed by a flared trunk, often with fluted, sharp ridges, making it very resistant to high winds; this feature also helps filter pollutants and prevents erosion of soil, an invaluable benefit it provides to riverbanks, swamps and areas that receive stormwater runoff. Their most notable feature is the woody projections, or ‘knees’, that protrude out from its base and provide habitat for frogs and salamanders; scientists are still undecided on the precise function they provide.
Like other cypress, the Bald Cypress is coniferous and produces small cones and needled leaves that might suggest it is an evergreen plant; in fact, the tree is deciduous, hence its common name. Many animals are known to enjoy its seeds, including squirrels, wild turkey, and wood ducks. Interestingly, the iconic bald eagle is drawn to the tops of bald cypress which provide lofty nesting sites.
What I find most amazing about this plant is its resiliency and lifespan. In 2018 a Taxodium distichum growing in North Carolina was determined to be no younger than 2,624 years old.1 This species is the oldest known living tree in eastern North America. As climate change impacts our environment and we are challenged to find plants that adapt to changing conditions, Taxodium distichum can be a plant for today and a true plant for the future.
Alison Milligan – Mstr Gardener/Mstr Naturalist /Mstr Watershed Steward
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)/AA County Tree Trooper