Life History and Disturbance Response of Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo)
Family: Nyssaceae
Guild: opportunistic, dispersal limited (large-seeded)
Functional Lifeform: large deciduous tree
Ecological Role: found on swamp margins, low coves and year-round wet areas; occurs in mixtures with bottomland oaks, loblolly and slash pines
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): 100+/Information Not Found
Shade Tolerance: intolerant
Height, m: 24-40
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: insects, wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 5/30/150
Mast Frequency, yrs: 1
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: late spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: Information Not Found
Seedfall Begins: early fall
Seed Banking: Information Not Found
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: drupe/ to 100 m/ gravity, birds
Season of Germination: spring
Seedling Rooting System: taproot
Sprouting: stump sprouts common
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable, wet soils
Light: overstory shade
Moisture: wet
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance response:
Fire: Swamp tupelo grows in swamps where fire rarely occurs. If the peat soils of these swamps dry out, ground fires can occur, killing roots and resulting in high mortality. Topkilled individuals sprout from the root crown. Seedling establishment may occur from seeds of surviving trees onsite or from offsite seeds carried by birds or other animals.
Weather: Swamp tupelo is extremely tolerant of extended periods of flooding.