Taxodium /tækˈsoʊdiəm/[1] is a genus of one to three species (depending on taxonomic opinion) of extremely flood-tolerant conifers in the cypress family, Cupressaceae.

"[2] Within the family, Taxodium is most closely related to Chinese swamp cypress (Glyptostrobus pensilis) and sugi (Cryptomeria japonica).

[5] However, age also increases susceptibility to Pecky Rot fungus (Stereum taxodii), which attacks the heartwood and causes some damaged trees to become hollow and thus useless for timber.

Bald Cypress wood was much used in former days in the southeastern United States for roof shingles.

[7] The oldest fossils were found in Late Cretaceous deposits from North America.