Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), a deciduous conifer/gymnosperm in the family Cupressaceae that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils in the lowlands. It is a large, slow-growing, and long- lived tree. The main trunks are surrounded by cypress knees. This is a new species in Bangladesh, and is not recorded in the Plant List of the country. Presence of this species was first traced in Hazarikhill Wildlife Sanctuaries of Chittagong during our field study in 2015. The species exists with only one single matured individual. So, arrangement has been made with the Bedgebury Pinetum, UK for seeds for enhancement of populations with the help of Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). We have already received some cones from the Pinetum under the Materials Transfer Agreement. We have sown the seeds for germination, and we are now looking for the new plants with great interests. It could be a great achievement if the propagation of the seeds becomes successful that will enhance the diversity and beauty of the swamp vegetation in Bangladesh through planting in swamp forests.
No responses yet