Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Ogeechee tupelo, Ogeechee-lime

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Nyssa ogeche

Family:

Nyssaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

30-40 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

red,purple

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms in early spring. Fruits ripen by fall.

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Fall Color

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree. Screen along wetland edges. Street tree for use in parking lots and median strips. Many acres have been planted to attract bees for honey production.

Considerations:

Fallen fruits can be mildly messy.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Pollinated by bees.  

Seeds eaten by birds.

Native Habitats:

Stream banks, swamps, pond and lake margins.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Said to be a good honey tree.  The juice of the fruits is said to make a substitute for limes. (both Haihle and Brookwell 1999).

General Comments: