Hanging swamp

Posted by Lotg on January 26, 2004

In a large basin at the bottom of our property, at the base of some cliffs is a substantial area of hanging swamp.

This term is something I've heard all my life and never questioned. I've always known that a hanging swamp is a shallow swamp with such a mass of plant-life as to make it appear from above to be solid ground.

However, when I was showing guests the other day, one asked me "why is it called a 'hanging' swamp". Pretty fair question and I have no idea. Can anyone help?