Cotton Gum Nyssa aquatica
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Cotton Gum:
Previously known as:
- Nyssa uniflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- NY-suh a-KWA-tee-kuh
- Description
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Water tupelo, is a native, large, long-lived deciduous tree in the Nyssaceae family inhabiting deep rivers or coastal swamps in the Southeastern United States that are usually flooded most of the year. It has a swollen base, large hanging fruit, and brittle twigs that distinguish it from the Blackgum. Water Tupelo has a long, straight trunk, narrow, open crown of spreading branches, and large, shiny leaves. In a forested stand, the trunk is often long, but somewhat crooked, above its buttressed base. It is very symmetrical and pyramid-shaped in its early years but develops an irregular form with age.
It grows well in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, acidic soils. It tolerates poorly-drained soils and can grow in standing water. A long taproot makes it difficult to transplant. It is rarely used in the home landscape. Often reaching heights of 100' with a trunk diameter of 3 to 4 feet, it is mostly dioecious and male plants are helpful to get a female fruit set. This plant has a beautiful yellow fall color and is heat tolerant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fire is a major enemy of Water Tupelo. It scorches the thin bark, allowing the entrance of rot-causing fungi. The forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) is a serious enemy in some years and locations.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nyssa
- Species:
- aquatica
- Family:
- Nyssaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Wood is light, soft, close-grained but not strong. Often used for crates, broom handles, pulpwood, and floor veneers. The root is sometimes used for making floats.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Southeastern US flood plains, North Carolina
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Special Value to Honey Bees (tupelo honey is sold throughout the South).
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- The fruit can be eaten raw, often used in preserves.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 1 in. - 50 ft. 2 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Dark purple, oblong fruit (drupes to 1 inch long) mature in fall (September-October). Tough skins with a thin layer of acid flesh over the seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Greenish-white flowers (male in clusters and female solitary) bloom in spring (April-May). Male and female borne on separate trees, appearing as the leaves begin to unfold. Trees may not flower and fruit until reaching the age of 30 years.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, glossy, oblong to obovate, dark green leaves (4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide) usually have smooth edges (but sometimes one or more large teeth) and usually are finely downy (but sometimes glabrous) underneath.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- The bark is dark brown or dark grey. It is finely fissured up and down the trunk, thin and scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Fruit grow on slender drooping stalks 3 to 4 inches long.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
