Taxodium mucronatum, commonly known as Montezuma cypress or ahuehuete, is a majestic, semi-evergreen conifer native to Mexico and parts of Central America, where it thrives along riverbanks, springs, and seasonally inundated valleys, often becoming a defining element of riparian landscapes. Renowned for its immense girth and longevity—some specimens are considered among the oldest and thickest trees in the world—it typically develops a massive, buttressed trunk clad in gray-brown, fibrous bark that peels in long strips, supporting a broad, spreading crown of gracefully arching branches. Its leaves are arranged in soft, bright green sprays that may persist through mild winters, giving the tree a lush, almost feathery appearance; in colder climates it becomes more deciduous. Small, rounded cones mature to release seeds that support local wildlife, although the species often reproduces vegetatively along watercourses. More tolerant of dry conditions and alkaline soils than its swamp-dwelling relatives, Taxodium mucronatum displays remarkable flexibility, thriving both in moist, alluvial habitats and in well-drained urban landscapes. Highly regarded for its cultural significance in Mesoamerica, its monumental presence in plazas and parks, and its resilience in challenging environments, the Montezuma cypress stands as both an ecological cornerstone and a symbol of endurance, beauty, and deep-rooted history.