TAXODIUM 
MONTEZUMA. 
Identification. —TAXODIUM DISTICHUM, Humb., Bonpl., and Kunth., Nov. Gen. et Spec ii. p. 4 (1817). 
TAXODIUM MONTEZUMZE, Decaisne, Btdlet. Soc. Bot., i. p. 71 (1854). 
TAXODIUM MEXICANUM, Carriere, Trade Gin. des Coni/., p. 147(1855); Henkel and Hochstetter, Synop. Nadelholzen , 
p. 260 (1865). 
TAXODIUM MUCRONATUM, Ten., in Mem. di Mcitemat. et fis. della Soc. Ital. delle Sc. resid.. in Mod., xv. 2, 202, t. 2 A 
and 2 B (1855). 
TAXODIUM DISTICHUM MEXICANUM, Gordon, Pinetum, p. 307 (1858); Gordon, Pinetum Snp., p. 97 (1862). 
Specific Character. —T. disticho valde affinis, foliolis minoribus floribus masculis majoribus dignoscitur. 
Habitat in Mexico. 
This, the Mexican representative of the deciduous Cypress, is distinguished from the type by the less 
size, fresher green, and more slender and tapering character of its twigs and leaves, as shewn in fig. 1, 
whence it has received the garden name of T. pinnatum , by the size of its flower (the male 
flower being three or four times the size of that of Taxodium distichum ), and by its more 
tender constitution. The tree itself reaches a greater size and age than any specimens of the 
type in North America. 
Geographical Distribution. —The limits of this sub-species are not precisely determined, 
but it is supposed to be confined to the lofty plateau of Mexico. It is found in the immediate 
neighbourhood of the city of Mexico, and in other parts of that district, and in Oaxaca, where 
the largest tree known grows near Santa Maria del Tule. It was at first supposed that, notwith¬ 
standing the difference of the climate in which it lives, and some differences in appearance, it 
was the same as the Taxodium distichum. Humboldt saw the Oaxaca tree, and sought for a 
distinction without success. He pronounced the two trees the same. Subsequent botanists 
have followed in his footsteps; but Professor Decaisne, in 1854, first endeavoured to separate 
them, but without indicating the characters on which he rested. Like the normal Taxodium 
distichum , this tree is equally fond of water. Seeman, who regarded it as not specifically 
distinct from the latter, says of it, in his “ Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Herald” (1852-57), 
p. 335 : “ This tree is called by the modern Mexicans ‘Sabino,’ by the Aztecs ‘ Ahvehoetl,’ and by 
the inhabitants of the United States ‘ Black, bald, or swamp Cypress,’ always grows near rivers 
or running streams, and except it and the Cedro di la Sierra (Chamcecyparis Thurifera , 
Endl.), I do not know any Conifer which is so closely confined to them as this one. Often have I 
rejoiced when, after searching a long time for water, the tops of some Sabinos were descried. I had found 
the object of my search.” The Sabino is diffused over the whole table-land of Mexico. It was collected 
at Misteca Alta (Galeotti, No. 5), Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca (Liebmarn), and at some other places 
not specified. (Jurgenson, No. 237.) We hesitate whether to regard it as distinct or not. If distinct, 
[31] B it 
Fig. 1. 
Twig drawn from 
a specimen 
plucked from 
Cortez’s tree. 
B 
