(Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.)
Habitus
- a tree growing in the homeland (southeastern USA) to a height of 30 - 35 (60)m
- the crown is narrowly conical, deeply branched
- the branches are arranged in a spiral
- the bork is reddish-brown, cracked into relatively narrow longitudinal strips
- the trunk is conspicuous in the lower part expanded - thickened (cylindrical) with significant root growth
- on waterlogged sites it creates respiratory roots that grow upright from the ground
Shoots
- produces two types of shoots:
- macroblasts - long shoots, they are permanent
- brachyblasts - shortened shoots, they are 50 - 100 x 1 mm in size, green, fall in autumn together with the needles that grow on them
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- the assimilation organs are needle-shaped
- the needles are 10 - 16 x 1 mm large, linear, pointed, narrowed at the base, light green, soft
- turn brown in autumn and fall off (on brachyblasts together with brachyblasts)
- on long permanent shoots (macroblasts) they are arranged in a helix
- on shortened shoots (brachyblasts) they are arranged in two rows in one plane
Flowers
- monoecious tree, flowers of different sexes, cone-shaped
- ♂ cones are 1 - 2 mm large, ovoid, arranged in 7 - 10 cm long hanging broom-like inflorescences, grow on last year's shoots
- ♀ cones are 3 - 5 mm large, spherical, grow individually at the end of last year's shoots
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is a spherical cone, 2 - 3 x 1.5 - 3 cm large
- label is diamond-shaped, navel with blackthorn
- cone ripens in the fall, it is decaying
Extension
- originally the southeastern USA, on the banks of rivers, swamps of Florida
- states around the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River basin
- on the territory of Slovakia it is found only as a cultivated species in parks and gardens
- it was introduced to Europe in 1640
Ecology
- a light-loving tree growing on the banks of rivers on deep loamy, sandy soils
- it requires sufficiently deep soils with a high level of flowing groundwater (similar to the trees in floodplain forests in Slovakia - white willow (Salix alba), white poplar, Populus alba), ...
- when young it is sensitive to low temperatures, later it resists frost
Significance
- when adult, it is a majestic decorative tree with its habit
- interesting with the formation of breathing roots
- suitable for parks and gardens with water bodies
