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Cressler, Alan

Nyssa ogeche

Nyssa ogeche W. Bartram ex Marshall

Ogeechee Tupelo, Ogeechee Lime

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

Synonym(s): Nyssa acuminata

USDA Symbol: NYOG

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A tree, commonly to 60 ft., known for its 1/2-3/4 in. diameter, red fruits that are pleasantly flavored and used as a substitute for limes. One to several trunks are crooked and the 4-6 in. long, dark-green leaves are velvety beneath.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 100 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Apr

Distribution

USA: FL , GA , SC
Native Distribution: Coastal Plain from s.e. SC to n. FL & AL
Native Habitat: Swamp & bay forests; lake margins, alluvial woods

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Sprouts from roots as well as self-sows.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Honey Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Sow fresh or stratified seed in a moist, muddy soil covered by one inch of firm soil. Seedlings benefit from partial shade.
Seed Collection: Collect seed in late summer or early fall. Remove pulp and air-dry for one to two days.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require a 3 months warm stratification at 70 degrees, followed by 3 months at 40 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Nyssa ogeche in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Nyssa ogeche in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nyssa ogeche

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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