water tupelo Cornaceae Nyssa aquatica L. symbol: NYAQ2 Leaf: Alternate, simple, pinnately veined, 4 to 8 inches long, oblong to obovate, entire margin but may have a few large teeth. Flower: Small, greenish white, usually in hanging clusters, appearing with the leaves. Fruit: A reddish purple drupe, 1 inch long and tear shaped, flesh surrounds a deeply grooved pit. Twig: Stout, yellow-brown to red-brown, large heart-shaped leaf scar, buds small, pith diaphragmed, spur shoots common. Bark: Brownish gray, scaly ridges or even blocky (somewhat variable). Form: Large tree to 100 feet, several feet in diameter, clear trunk which is typically swolen at base, roots often grow out of soil. Looks like: swamp tupelo - Ogeechee tupelo - blackgum Additional Range Information: Nyssa aquatica is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting water tupelo. More: Fall Color External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America Landowner Factsheet USDA Plants Database © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson