Cypress Knees

Description:

Woody, knobby protrusions emerging from around the bases of bald cypress trees.

Habitat:

Wetland in Hontoon Island State Park.

Notes:

Cypress knees are a phenomenon common to many cypress species across the world. Despite the prevalence of cypress knees, there is actually no definitive scientific reason for their existence. Many theories exist as to why several cypress species form knees, but these are still hypotheses, and the true cause of these structures remains unknown.