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Native Plant Society of Texas

Montezuma Cypress

Taxodium mucronatum

Other common name(s):

Montezuma Bald Cypress, Mexican Cypress, Ahuehuete, Sabino

Family:

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

3
to
9
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Riparian, Wetland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nesting Material, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds

Maintenance

Fast growing and long lived. Could suffer winter damage in Central Texas northward. Native habitat: swamps, streams, river banks at sea level.

Description

Blooms February-March. Large, needle-leaf, aquatic tree with tall, straight trunk and broad crown of spreading branches and drooping twigs, evergreen or nearly so. Trunk enlarged at base with ridges above. Montezuma cypress rarely produces cypress knees from the roots. Bark is gray to brown, scaly and twigs reddish brown. The reproductive parts are in tiny cones of separate sexes on the same tree. The seeds are produced in one growing season. After fertilization, globose female cones grow to 1″ in diameter and become woody. When mature, cones fall apart releasing seeds.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Remove leaves from the lower two-thirds of the cutting to expose the nodes. Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end to enhance root development, focusing on the exposed nodes. Fill a pot with a well-draining propagation mix, such as a blend of peat moss and perlite. Insert the cutting into the potting mix, ensuring that several nodes are buried beneath the surface. Moisten the mix lightly. Place the pot in a location that maintains a humid environment and receives indirect sunlight, which will support the rooting process without causing excessive moisture loss. A plastic cover can be used to help maintain high humidity levels around the cutting. Check the moisture of the potting mix regularly, keeping it consistently damp but not waterlogged. Roots typically begin to form in a few weeks. After roots have established, gradually acclimate the cutting to normal environmental conditions before final planting. nce rooted, transplant montezuma bald cypress into a larger container or permanent location, ensuring it is in a sunny area with ample space for growth. Montezuma bald cypress thrives in moist, well-drained soils. Regular watering is crucial, especially in dry periods, as montezuma bald cypress is often found naturally in wet environments. During the first growing season, focus on establishing a strong root system and be vigilant about pest management. As montezuma bald cypress matures, reduce the frequency of watering to promote hardiness. The optimal time for propagating montezuma bald cypress is during late autumn to early winter using cuttings. Begin by selecting a healthy branch from a mature montezuma bald cypress. The branch should be about 6-8 inches in length and include several nodes. This part of the branch will serve as your cutting. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Taxodium_mucronatum.html#:~:text=Montezuma%20bald%20cypress%20is%20best,rooting%20hormone%20for%20optimal%20results.
Seed No Treatment No special treatment is needed for greenhouse germination [2]. Seeds are released upon cone ripening, and germinate as soon as moisture conditions permit. The seeds are only viable for a short period of time. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/taxmuc/all.html#:~:text=The%20seeds%20are%20only%20viable,through%20the%20winter%20%5B4%5D.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason