Practical
Plants

Nyssa ogeche

Ogeechee Lime

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Nyssa genus in the family Nyssaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Nyssaceae
Genus
Nyssa
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
15 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - cooked. It is used in preserves[5]. A lime substitute[2]. Large with an agreeably acid flavour, they make good preserves and a refreshing lemonade-like drink[2][6][7][3]. The fruit is produced in small clusters of 2 - 3, it is up to 4cm long, has a thick, juicy, very acid flesh and contains a single seed[9][5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - coarse-grained, light, soft, tough, not strong and difficult to split[9][5]. It has an intricately contorted and twisted grain[9]. The tree is too rare and small to be economically important[5].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Florida to S. Carolina.
Habitat
Wet swamps on the coastal plain[7]. Found in permanently wet sites or those that are inundated for part of the year[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[8] but would probably benefit from an earlier sowing if the seed can be obtained any sooner. Three months stratification at 5°c improves germination[4]. Germination rates are variable[8]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although this is a plant of swamps and other wet soils in the wild, once established it can succeed in Britain when growing in an ordinary good loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[4]. This plant is probably not hardy in Britain[2]. Resents root disturbance[1]. The flowers abound in nectar and are much visited by bees[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  7. Small. Manual of the Southeastern Flora.

    ↩1↩2

  8. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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