Closer look at cypress knees. The most distinctive feature of the bald cypress is the presence of knees - a special kind of cone-shaped root structures that grow vertically from the roots just below the soil/sediment surface and protrude upward from the ground or water. Botanists have long been confounded trying to determine the purpose of the knees... In 1819, Francois Andre Michaux wrote, "No cause can be assigned for their existence," and in 1882 Asa Gray concurred. Throughout the nineteenth century and continuing to the present, many hypotheses have been put forth about the function of these peculiar formations, hypotheses that have included aeration of the root system, vegetative reproduction, mechanical support, nutrient accumulation, and carbohydrate storage. Since bald cypresses often grow in swampy conditions, the most commonly believed theory (so much so that it is stated as fact in several botany texts) is that they are pneumatophores, which means “air bearing”, and function to transport air to drowned roots underground as an adaptive strategy under flooded circumstances. However, experiments showed that there was little exchange of oxygen between roots and knees. Similarly, botanists have failed to show any significant impact of the knees on the reproduction, nutrient absorption or any other function of the trees. Trees that have knees removed continue to thrive. Now many are throwing their support behind the theory the knees serve no purpose other than perhaps helping anchor the tree in swampy ground - maybe that's all there is to it, or perhaps they just can't figure out mother nature's real purpose. Looks best zoomed full size. Thanks for looking & commenting. Previous Photo: ----------- * RangeRiderRichard's Photo Albums: Architecture | Atmosphere & Mood | Landscapes | Critters | Flowers & Plants | Miscellaneous | Food | Artwork | Poetry | Holidays | People