|
The Chinese swamp cypress (Glyptostrobus pensilis) belongs to Taxodiaceae (the Bald cypress family). It is a tall deciduous tree that is native to south-eastern China. It was introduced into Japan in the last days of Meiji Era (1868-1912). This tree grow in water's edges, and it can reach 20-30 m in height. The underneath branches spread out almost on the level or descending, and the upper branches are upright. The leaves are needles and they turn brown in fall. The inconspicuous flowers bloom at twig tips in March to April, and the small strobiles are borne in fall. There is a legend that it brings welfare, and it is planted on the shores of paddy fields in China. In Chinese, it is called "水松" (shui song).
|