Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary protects the largest remaining forest of old growth bald cypress trees in the world. Some trees are more than 500 years old.
Many of the cypress trees are wrapped by stranger figs. Strangler figs often kill other trees, but in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary they seem to have almost a symbiotic relationship with the cypress trees. In hurricanes and other high wind events, the figs can help cypress trees to stand up.
A number of the biggest cypress trees have been named. If my notes are right, this one is the Stoneman Douglas cypress. It is named for Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, a noted journalist, writer and conservationist, best known for writing The Everglades: River of Grass. Her 1947 book helped to change the public perception of the Everglades as a key natural asset instead of a worthless swamp.
Cypress trees have "knees," which are conical structures growing from the roots. Some of the cypress knees in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary are absolutely huge. No one really knows what cypress knees are for. Providing stability? Helping roots get oxygen? Who knows?
1 comment:
It is good these trees are now protected. Cypress trees are unique to Florida. Let's hope they will still be here in another 500 years.
Post a Comment