# Water Tupelo (*Nyssa aquatica*) The Water Tupelo is a special tree that loves to grow in wet places like swamps. It has big, green leaves and can grow very tall, providing homes for many animals. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Water Tupelo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Nyssa_aquatica_tree.jpg&width=800) Photo: Paul Bolstad, University of Minnesota, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nyssa_aquatica_tree.jpg) ## Appearance The Water Tupelo is a tall, straight tree often seen growing directly in water with a noticeably swollen, buttressed base. Its glossy green leaves turn attractive shades of yellow and red in fall, and it produces small, dark purple, olive-like fruits. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Cornales - **Family:** Nyssaceae - **Genus:** Nyssa ## Interesting facts - Honey made from tupelo flowers is famous for being delicious and very clear. - It can grow in water up to 2 meters deep for months without drowning! - Its wood is so light it's sometimes called 'liquid balsa wood'! - The Water Tupelo's fruits are called 'swamp limes' because they taste super tart! ## Special abilities - **Water Breather Roots:** Water Tupelo has specialized roots that can absorb oxygen even when submerged, helping it thrive in flooded swamps. - **Buttress Stability:** It has a unique swollen base that helps anchor the tree firmly in soft, muddy wetland soils. - **Flood-Proof Trunk:** It has spongy, air-filled tissue in its trunk, helping it survive long periods in deep water. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 m - **Spread:** 9-15 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 90-150 cm - **Lifespan:** 100-600 years - **Fruit Type:** Drupe - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits its small flowers for nectar. - **Eaten by:** American black bear (*Ursus americanus*) — enjoys the tart fruits in late summer. - **Eaten by:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — eats fallen fruit floating on water. - **Shelter:** Warmouth (*Lepomis gulosus*) — hides among its submerged roots. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on paths when exploring near water to keep safe from slippery areas. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Water Tupelo? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Water Tupelo? 15-30 m ### How wide does Water Tupelo spread? 9-15 m ### Is Water Tupelo edible? Yes ### How big is Water Tupelo? 90-150 cm ### How long does Water Tupelo live? 100-600 years ### Where is Water Tupelo usually found? Wetlands ### What kind of fruit does Water Tupelo produce? Drupe ## Where to spot - [Louisiana Purchase State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/louisiana-purchase-state-park) — Arkansas, US · State Park - [Cypress Grove Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cypress-grove-park) — Tennessee, US · Park - [Arboretum Ellerhoop](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arboretum-ellerhoop) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Merchants Millpond State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/merchants-millpond-state-park) — North Carolina, US · State Park [View all places to see Water Tupelo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/water-tupelo) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Water Tupelo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/water-tupelo)