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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.

Physical Characteristics

Nyssa aquatica is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a medium rate. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

N. uniflora.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - occasionally eaten raw but more often used in preserves[177, 183]. The fruit is up to 4cm long, it has a thick, tough skin with a thin acid flesh surrounding a large seed[82, 229].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cork Dye Wood

The wood of the roots is sometimes used for making floats instead of cork[82]. A red dye can be obtained from the burnt bark mixed with water and the ash of red oak (Quercus rubra)[257]. Wood - light, close-grained, soft, difficult to split[82, 229, 235]. Tough according to one report[235], weak according to another[229]. It has an intricately contorted and twisted grain[82]. It weighs 29lb per cubic foot[235], and is used for various things such as panelling, broom handles, woodenware and crates[82, 229]. It is sometimes exploited commercially[229].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen, Woodland garden. Although this is a plant of swamps and other wet soils in the wild, once established it can succeed in Britain when growing in an ordinary good loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. This plant probably requires a very wet soil, it is very difficult to establish in Britain, though it should be hardy at least in the milder parts of the country. It prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[200]. Plants are fast-growing in well-drained bottomlands in the wild, but slower in swampy sites[229]. They are long-lived trees, commencing to bear seeds when about 30 years old and usually producing heavy crops each year[229]. The seed is mainly distributed by water[229]. Resents root disturbance[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: North American native, Wetlands plant, Attracts butterflies, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[78] but would probably benefit from an earlier sowing if the seed can be obtained any sooner. Three months stratification at 5°c improves germination[200]. Germination rates are variable[78]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Missouri (southeast), Illinois (south), Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (southwest), Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina (east), South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia (southeast), Texas).

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Nyssa ogeche	Ogeechee Lime, Ogeechee tupelo	Tree	15.0	0-0		LMH	SN	MWe	2	0	2
Nyssa sylvatica	Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum, Black Tupelo	Tree	15.0	4-9	M	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Nyssa aquatica - L.