Life History and Disturbance Response of Nyssa aquatica (water tupelo)
Family: Nyssaceae
Guild: opportunistic, dispersal limited (large-seeded)
Functional Lifeform: large deciduous tree
Ecological Role: grows in saturated soils of flats and deep swamps; occurs in pure stands or mixed with baldcypress; does not tolerate suppression
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): Information Not Found
Shade Tolerance: intolerant
Height, m: 25-30
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: insects, wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 30/Information Not Found
Mast Frequency, yrs: 1
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: early spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: Information Not Found
Seedfall Begins: early fall
Seed Banking: 1 yr +
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: drupe/ variable/ water
Season of Germination: summer
Seedling Rooting System: shallow
Sprouting: prolific, from stumps
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: muck or wet, poorly-drained soil
Light: overstory shade
Moisture: wet
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance response:
Fire: Water tupelo grows in low, wet flats and swamps, where fire rarely occurs. A thin-barked tree, water tupelo is highly susceptible to fire. When water tupelo survives fire, fungi often invade wounded areas. Topkilled individuals probably sprout after fire. Seedling establishment may occur from seeds of surviving trees onsite or from offsite seeds carried mainly by water.
Weather: Water tupelo is extremely tolerant of extended periods of flooding.