Cypress Swamp -sepia

Both cypress and tupelo trees have adapted to the challenge of this waterlogged environment in many ways. The similarity of their solutions shows... more

by Scott Pellegrin

Title

Cypress Swamp -sepia

Artist

Scott Pellegrin

Medium

Photograph

Description

Both cypress and tupelo trees have adapted to the challenge of this waterlogged environment in many ways. The similarity of their solutions shows convergent evolution. Both cypress and tupelo trees, for example, have swollen bases, which may help in aeration of the trunk tissue, and add stability to the tree's uncertain footing in the muddy soil. Cypress "knees" may also help keep the cypress tree upright, providing a broad and heavy counterweight at the base of the tree. The tissue structure of the wood inside the cypress knees suggests that it might have an additional function. Up to 60% of the stem and root tissue is aerenchyma, tissue with a lot of air spaces for gas exchange. Up to 60% of the body of the plant can consist of pore spaces. Tupelo trees may have one or two knees, but cypress trees can have many, and they can grow up to 10-12 feet high. These knees are only produced if the tree grows underwater. To help the roots maintain normal respiration, Cypress trees transport oxygen down to the roots, and cypress and tupelo may discharge oxygen out of the root and into the soil, to create a thin boundary layer of oxygenated soil around the roots.

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Uploaded

November 8th, 2009