Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. var. nutans (Ait.) Endl.

An upright tree with the trunk expanded at the base, a conical to columnar crown, and short- triangular branches. The variety nutans is deciduous, the shoots strongly erect at first, then with pendulous tips.  See also see Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Probably introduced to Europe about 1789.  It was first botanically described by Aiton of Kew at this time.  ‘[Taxodium ascendens].  A tree with maximum height of about 80 feet and trunk diameter of about 3 feet above the greatly enlarged base, tapering upward, its thick fibrous bark deeply furrowed.  Leaves awl-shaped, closely appressed to the slender twigs, 2”-3” long, long-pointed, keeled above, concave beneath, the tips somewhat spreading; cones similar to those of T. distichum.  In ponds and swamps, southern Virginia to Florida and Alabama.  Wood heavier and stronger than that of the Bald cypress.’  [Britton vol.1, p.64/1896-98].  See also historical notes under Taxodium mucronatum Ten.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [C.81/1857].

Notes

Taxodium distichum nutans Carrière (1867) = Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. pendens Rehd.

Published Aug 07, 2009 - 12:09 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 04:49 PM

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Family Taxodiaceae
Category
Region of origin

South east USA
Synonyms
  • Taxodium ascendens Brongn
  • Cupressus disticha var. nutans Aiton
  • Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. var. imbricarium (Nutt.) Croom
Common Name

Deciduous cypress, Pond cypress
Name in the Camden Park Record

Taxodium nutans

Confidence level high