The protruding roots of the bald cypress tree are known as "knees."
Swamp plants are uniquely adapted to swamp conditions. The low oxygen and high iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide levels cannot be tolerated by most plants. Other factors determining swamp plants are the climate and whether the water is fresh or salt water, flowing or still. Each plant performs an important function to maintain the fragile ecology by providing food, shelter, and a safe nesting or breeding place for the swamp inhabitants -- birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and insects.
Flowering Swamp Plants
Asclepias incarnata L. or Swamp milkweed is a perennial propagated by rhizome splitting or seeds and produces bright red to pink through lavender clusters of hourglass-shaped flowers. The blooms attract butterflies and it is a habitat and food source for the lava of monarch butterflies. The swamp rose (Rosa palustris Marsh) is often seen growing on the knees of the bald cypress or fallen logs. Its pink single petal flowers are very fragrant and bloom for up to eight weeks in spring to summer. Other flowering swamp plants include swamp azalea, swamp buttercup and swamp lily.
Swamp Trees
Bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) are the most recognizable trees found in swamps in the southern U.S. Their cone-shaped roots rise out above the water level and are referred to as "knees." The trees can grow to 120 feet in height. The needle-like leaves fan out in an attractively shaped crown. Although they are extremely fast growing and recover from a fire before any other trees, their wood is desired for its hardness and ability to resist rot and the knees are prized for carvings. Other commonly found swamp trees are tupelo (hardwood), black gum and certain palms.
Swamp Edge Plants
Cattails or bulrushes (Typha latifolia) broad leaf or (Typha angustifolia) narrow leaf are one of the most common plants that grow on the banks of swamps and waterways. The cigar-shaped seed heads, also known as candlewicks, punks and ducktails burst open into giant "cotton balls" to release the seeds and provide nesting material for birds and a safe haven for waterfowl to nest and a hideaway for fish, frogs and salamanders to lay their eggs. Bushy beard (Andropogon glomeratus) produces silvery feather-like seed panicles. Other plants that grow on the edges of swamps include sedge, elderberry, wool grass, tall manna grass and tag alder.
Invasive Swamp Plants
Invasive plants are non-native plants that have been classified as undesirable weeds by government entities because they interfere with the natural ecology. Swamp morning glory or water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica forsk) is native to east Asia. The perennial vine's stems grow up to 4 feet, float on the top of the water and grows over other plants in the mud and kills them. They produce white to pale pink morning-glory like flowers. Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), originally from South America, are floating plants with large leaves that choke the natural vegetation. Their flowers are purple to violet. Other invasive water plants are Brazilian pepper tree, old world climbing fern and melaleuca.
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