Virginia Tech Dendrology

swamp tupelo Cornaceae Nyssa biflora Walter symbol: NYBI
Leaf: Alternate, simple, elliptical or narrowly obovate, entire margins, 3 to 6 inches long, 1 to 2 inches wide.
Flower: Pale green, small, males occur in large clusters, females in smaller groups, appearing with the leaves.
Fruit: Dark purplish-blue drupe, 1/2 to 5/8 inch long, prominent longitudinal, ridges on pit, slightly larger than Nyssa sylvatica.
Twig: Slender, red-brown to gray in color, with a diaphragmed pith, buds are initially green and light brown later turning to dark brown to reddish brown, spur shoots common.
Bark: Grayish brown with longitudinal exfoliating ridges as it gets older.
Form: Trunk is usually swollen at its base, clear trunk with a narrow crown, medium size tree.
Looks like: blackgum - water tupelo - Ogeechee tupelo

Additional Range Information: Nyssa biflora is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America - USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information