Maritime Swamp Forest (Bald Cypress Type) – CEGL004079

The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) type of maritime swamp forest is very rare globally and endemic to a few sites in far southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.  In Virginia, it is known only from First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach City.  It is distinguished by occurring in semipermanently flooded habitats and having an open understory dominated by shrubs such as common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus).