Nyssa biflora
| Nyssa biflora | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo by Bobby Hattaway at the Discover Life Database | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida - Dicots |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Cornaceae |
| Genus: | Nyssa |
| Species: | N. biflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Nyssa biflora Walter | |
| |
| Natural range of Nyssa biflora from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Contents
Taxonomic Notes
Synonym: N. sylvatica (Marshall)
Variety: none
Description
N. biflora is a perennial tree of the Cornaceae family that is native to North America. [1]
Distribution
N. biflora is found throughout the southeastern United States; specifically, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Deleware, New Jersey, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.[1]
Ecology
Habitat
Ideal soil for N. biflora is wet bottomland soils, such as mucks, heavy clays, and wet sands. Shallow moving water is ideal such as swamp banks, ponds, and estuaries. Practically full sunlight is necessary fro successful growth. [1]
Likely habitats include river swamps, depressions in pinelands, and pocosins.[2]
Phenology
Flowers have been recorded during Marhc, April, and May, as well as in September and October, though it is not as common.[3]
Seed dispersal
Seeds are dispersed by gravity and birds, some carried away by water. [1] Seeds can tolerate some competition when germinating. [1]
Use by animals
The White tail deer utilize the twigs and foliage. Small mammals and birds will eat the fruit. Also, birds and small mammals will make nests and cavities in the tree. The flowers provide nectar for bees. [1]
Diseases and parasites
The forest tent caterpillar will cause growth loss and mortality for N. biflora[1]
The tree can also develop lesions due to Fusarium solani. A variety of fi=ungi can cause heartrot. It is also prone to sapsucker. [1]
Conservation and Management
Regeneration is possible by clear cutting in preparation of a large seed fall.[1]
Controlling deer population is necessary for conserving N. biflora.[1]
It also can compete with loblolly and long-leaf pines for water and sun light which can hinder its growth. [1]
