Effects of Light on Growth, Morphology, and Photosynthesis in Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) and Pondcypress (T. ascendens Brongn.) Seedlings

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Abstract
Growth patterns of baldcypress (T. distichum (L.) Rich.) and pondcypress (T. ascendens Brongn.) seedlings were examined under light levels ranging from 5-100% full sunlight. Leaf arrangement on baldcypress branchlets remained distichous under all light conditions. Leaf arrangement on pondcypress branchlets changed from radial when grown in high light to distichous when grown in low light. Leaves of pondcypress were consistently narrower and thicker than those of baldcypress. Pondcypress branchlets became more vertically oriented when plants were grown in high light, but assumed a similar orientation to baldcypress ones when grown in low light. Baldcypress produced greater biomass, leaf area, height and diameter growth in most light treatments than pondcypress. Maximum photosynthetic rates were higher for pondcypress on a unit leaf area basis, but not different when expressed on a leaf dry weight basis. Higher specific leaf weights, resulting in greater internal leaf surface area available for CO2 uptake may have accounted for the differences in photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area. The present study confirms field observations by previous investigators concerning the growth habits of these 2 taxa, but in addition, suggests that some of these differences are under genetic rather than environmental control.

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