Nyssa ogeche (Ogeechee Tupelo aka Bee Tupelo, Sour Tupelo, White Tupelo)

Nyssa ogeche (Ogeechee Tupelo aka Bee Tupelo, Sour Tupelo, White Tupelo) is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. It belongs to the genus Nyssa, which includes several species commonly referred to as tupelos. Ogeechee Tupelo is a medium-sized tree that typically grows to a height of 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters). It has a straight trunk and a narrow, pyramidal crown when young, which becomes more rounded with age. Appearance: The bark is light gray and develops ridges and furrows over time. The leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptical in shape, with smooth edges. They have a glossy dark green color in summer and turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Flowers and fruits: Ogeechee Tupelo produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that are borne in clusters. The flowers are typically pollinated by insects. Female flowers give rise to fruits known as drupes, which are round and bluish-black when mature. The fruits are a food source for birds, including m