Glyptostrobus pensilis, the Chinese water pine, is presently confined to swamp-like habitats in the paratropical forests of eastern China. In terms of ecology and general appearance, the plant is similar to Taxodium, although distinctly more tropical in its requirements. In the Tertiary, Glyptostrobus was widely distributed throughout western North America, often dominating local swampy environments. These North American populations appear to have had a wider climatic range than the modern species, since they are invariably associated with more temperate plant species.