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.

SEQUOIA

REDWOOD

Species in genus: 1 sp.: w North America
Etymology: (Sequoyah, Cherokee chief, ± 1770–1843)

Native

S. sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.

Plant generally sprouting vigorously from base if cut, from entire crown if burned
Stem: trunk < 115 m, < 3.8 m wide; old crown ± cylindric, generally unbranched in lower half; bark < 30 cm thick near base; twigs persistent < 4 years
Leaf remaining green < 3 years, persistent < 4
Seed cone 15–30 mm, ± spheric, maturing in 1 year, persistent < 2
Chromosomes: n=33
Ecology: Redwood forest
Elevation: < 1100 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, w Klamath Ranges, Outer North Coast Ranges, w Inner North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, n Outer South Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Tallest trees in North America
Horticultural information: SUN: 4, 5, 6, 16, 17 &IRR: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24: CVS.