Swamp Tupelo
Nyssa biflora
Also known as: Bear Tupelo
- Native to:
- United States
Lounsberry, Alice.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nyssaceae
- Genus:
- Nyssa
- Species:
- Nyssa biflora
- USDA Symbol:
- NYBI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Actrix dissimulatrix, Antispila nysaefoliella, Azalea sphinx (Darapsa choerilus), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Ectoedemia nyssaefoliella, Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), false prominent (Schizura leptinoides), False Underwing Moth (Allotria elonympha), Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hebrew moth (Polygrammate hebraeicum), Luna moth (Actias luna), Morrisonia latex, Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis), skiff moth (Prolimacodes badia), tupelo leaffolder moth (Actrix nyssaecolella), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Ectoedemia nyssaefoliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Tolerates periodic fire in swamp and flatwoods communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, rich, acidic loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetlands and swampy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification and may show irregular germination. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI