Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

General Information Common Name  Montezuma Bald Cypress Scientific Name  Taxodium mucronatum Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 40 m (up to 130 ft) Spread  10 - 20 m (33 - 66 ft) Growth Rate  Slow Bloom Time  Winter Color  Green, Flower Color  Brown Type  Tree Native  USA.

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Coniferophyta – Conifers Class  Pinopsida Subclass  Order  Pinales Family  Cupressaceae – Cypress Family Genus  Taxodium  –  Cypress Species  T. mucronatum

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Texodium mucronatum commonly known as Ahuehuete Cypress also known as Montezuma Bald Cypress or Montezuma Cypress, some area called Sabino. It is native to Mexico and Guatemala. It is National tree of Mexico.

T. mecronatum is evergreen to partly deciduous foliage tree. It is a large tree, growing up to 40 m (130 ft) in height and the trunk is 1-3 m (3.3 – 10 ft) in diameter. The leaves are medium to light green in color. They are spirally arranged but twisted at the base to lie it two horizontal ranks, 1 – 2 cm (0.4 – 0.8 in) long and 1 – 2 mm broad.  

Both sexes’ flowers are found in the same tree. The male flowers are borne in long racemes, whereas common Bald cypress is deciduous and the male flowers are in short clusters but Montezuma Bald is in long clusters that resemble oak catkins, 15 – 30 cm (6 – 12 in) long, with the individual flowers spread out spirally along the central thread-like stem; color is brown. Female cones are small and inconspicuous swellings on the previous year's branchlets. The globose cone, 1.5 – 2.5 cm (0.6 – 1 in) long and 1 – 2 cm (0.4 – 0.8 in) broad, surface rough, green and glaucous at first, but turning brown and woody when matured.

Reddish-brown, smooth on young trunks and branches, but developing shredding scales and, eventually thick, rough ridges and fissures on older trees. Unlike Bald Cypress and Pond Cypress, Montezuma Cypress rarely produces cypress knees from the roots.

Montezuma cypress is the national tree of Mexico. It is mainly plant as ornamental tree since very long time ago.  It is frequently cultivated in Mexican parks and gardens. The wood used make house beams and furniture. This tree has a great medical value. The local people used its resin to treat gout, ulcers, skin disease, wounds, and toothaches. The bark and wood also used as medic. The leaves acted as relaxant and could help reduce itching.

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Young Plant of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Montezuma Bald Cypress Young Plants

Taxodium mucronatum Young Plant

Leaves of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Leaves

Montezuma Bald Cypress Leaves

Male Flowers of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Male Flowers

Montezuma Bald Cypress Male Flowers 

Female Cone of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Female Cones

Bark of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Bark

Montezuma Bald Cypress Bark

Log of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Log

Ornamental Plants of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum Ornamental Plant

Taxodium mucronatum Log

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Logs of Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress in Fall

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum – Montezuma Bald Cypress

 

Video of Montezuma Bald Cypress: