Nyssa aquatica L.

Water Tupelo; Tupelo Gum; Cotton Gum

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Water Tupelo is a native deciduous tree in the Sour Gum family (Nyssaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama. Water Tupelo occurs in swamps, in floodplain forests, and in sloughs. It often forms pure stands in frequently flooded areas where water stands for long periods of time. Water Tupelo is a medium to large tree growing from 60-100 feet in height. The trunk is often greatly enlarged with a swollen base. Young branches are round in cross section, green in color, and pubescent. Older shoots are grey in color. The trunk has grey bark furrowed into shallow fissures and narrow ridges. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to ovate in outline, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, with the margins toothed towards the apex. The leaves are dark green above and lighter green below. Water Tupelo produces small greenish-white flowers in unisexual, axillary, stalked, umbel-like or glomerate clusters. Staminate clusters have 2-5 flowers and pistillate clusters have 1-2 flowers. Each flower has 5 small sepals and 5 small petals. The flowers are produced before or with the leaves. The fruit is a large blue-black drupe. Water Tupelo wood has a fine, uniform texture and interlocking grain. It is used for boxes, pallets, and pulp. Wood from the buttresses is much lighter in weight and has been used as a substitute for cork. The fruit of Water Tupelo are consumed by a variety of wildlife from wood ducks to raccoons, deer, and black bear. Water Tupelo can withstand long periods of flooding, and is used in wetland restorations.—A. Diamond.

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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