TAXODIACEAE

BALD CYPRESS FAMILY

James R. Griffin

Tree or shrub, monoecious, evergreen
Stem: young crown conic, old crown variable; bark fibrous, reddish; twigs not grooved, persistent or deciduous
Leaves simple, alternate, not in bundles, linear or awl-like (sometimes both on 1 plant), decurrent; tip acute
Seed cone generally woody; scales peltate, fused with bracts, generally persistent
Seeds 2–9 per scale; wings lateral
Genera in family: 10 genera, 16 species: North America, Asia, Tasmania; many of great commercial value
Reference: [Eckenwalder 1976 Madroño 23:237–256]
Combination with Cupressaceae supportable.

SEQUOIADENDRON

GIANT SEQUOIA

Species in genus: 1 sp.: CA
Etymology: (Greek: sequoia tree)

Native

S. giganteum (Lindl.) Buchholz

Plant generally not sprouting
Stem: trunk < 88 m, < 8 m wide; old crown irregular, with very large branches throughout; bark < 50 cm thick near base; twigs persistent < 20 years
Leaf remaining green < 4 years, persistent < 20
Seed cone 4–9 cm, oblong, maturing in 2 years, persistent < 20
Chromosomes: n=11
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Forms overstory in mixed-conifer forest, especially with favorable soil moisture
Elevation: 825–2700 m.
Bioregional distribution: c&s High Sierra Nevada.Most massive trunks in North America
Horticultural information: DRN, SUN: 1, 4, 5, 6, 17 &IRR: 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; CVS.