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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - occasionally eaten raw but more often used in preserves[1][2]. The fruit is up to 4cm long, it has a thick, tough skin with a thin acid flesh surrounding a large seed[3][4].

Fruit

Material uses

The wood of the roots is sometimes used for making floats instead of cork[3].

A red dye can be obtained from the burnt bark mixed with water and the ash of red oak (Quercus rubra)[5].

Wood - light, close-grained, soft, difficult to split[3][4][6]. Tough according to one report[6], weak according to another[4]. It has an intricately contorted and twisted grain[3]. It weighs 29lb per cubic foot[6], and is used for various things such as panelling, broom handles, woodenware and crates[3][4]. It is sometimes exploited commercially[4].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Nyssa aquatica.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[7] but would probably benefit from an earlier sowing if the seed can be obtained any sooner. Three months stratification at 5°c improves germination[8]. Germination rates are variable[7]. 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.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Nyssa aquatica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

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[9]. This plant probably requires a very wet soil, it is very difficult to establish in Britain, though it should be hardy at least in the milder parts of the country. It prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[8].

Plants are fast-growing in well-drained bottomlands in the wild, but slower in swampy sites[4]. They are long-lived trees, commencing to bear seeds when about 30 years old and usually producing heavy crops each year[4]. The seed is mainly distributed by water[4]. Resents root disturbance[9].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Nyssa aquatica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Nyssa aquatica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Nyssa aquatica
Genus
Nyssa
Family
Nyssaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.7 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.10 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11

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