Skip to main content

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Identifying Characteristics

Habitat: Depressions mixed in with the flatwoods, feed by nutrient poor, acidic, shallow ground water.
Size/Form: Growth is similar to that of bald cypress, but slower.
Bark: Similar to bald cypress but thicker.
Leaves: Similar to bald cypress but the needles are pressed against the stem. Young pond cypress may have leaves similar to bald cypress.
Seed cones: Seeds are held inside a round cone that is about ¾" to 1" in diameter. The cones are wrinkled, green, and leathery. Upon maturity they become woody. The shield-shaped scales fit closely together before the cone disintegrates.