Montezuma cypress

plant

Also known as: Mexican cypress, Taxodium mucronatum, ahuehuete(Show More)

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June 30, 2026

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The Montezuma cypress, also known as ahuehuete, is a tree native to wetland areas of southern North America, Mexico, and Guatemala. It is a conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family.12

The Montezuma cypress is closely related to the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), with the primary distinction being its shorter, persistent leaves and larger cones. Unlike the bald cypress, it rarely produces "knees," which are woody projections from the roots that help with oxygenation in wet soil. The tree is known for its resistance to water and rot, and its wood is valued in the lumber trade. It is also cultivated as an ornamental tree for its striking fall foliage.2

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bald cypress
Classification
…closely related Montezuma cypress, or Mexican cypress (T. mucronatum), is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala. It is generally considered to be a separate species and is distinguished from the bald cypress by its shorter, persistent leaves and larger cones. It rarely produces knees.
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…closely related Montezuma cypress, or Mexican cypress (T. mucronatum), is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala. It is generally considered to be a separate species and is distinguished from the bald cypress by its shorter, persistent leaves and larger cones. It rarely produces knees.
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tree
Trees of special interest
…digitata) of Africa and the Mexican swamp cypress (Taxodium mucronatum). The baobab attains a maximum height of about 23 meters (75 feet); its barrel-shaped trunk attains a diameter of more than 5 meters (16 feet), but a few individuals range from 7.7 to 15.9 meters (25 to 53 feet). The…
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…digitata) of Africa and the Mexican swamp cypress (Taxodium mucronatum). The baobab attains a maximum height of about 23 meters (75 feet); its barrel-shaped trunk attains a diameter of more than 5 meters (16 feet), but a few individuals range from 7.7 to 15.9 meters (25 to 53 feet). The…
Read More