Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
Southern Africa
Types
Nyssa sylvatica
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
530
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Lowland, Sandy areas, Wet Woods
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-910-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
9-7
10-1
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Pyramidal
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,828.80 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
762.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow green
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Crimson, Dark Red, Orange Red
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Oblovate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Wet Site, Drought, Soil Compaction
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Poorly Drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Prune when plant is dormant, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Mild Allergen, Pollen
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Used in parkland, Water gardening
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife, Windbreak
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Emetic, Opthalmic, Vermifuge
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Food for insects, Used as a dye, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
NYSSA sylvatica
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Black Tupelo Tree
Elephant Bush
In German
Schwarz Tupelo Baum
Elephant Bush
In French
Noir Arbre Tupelo
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Árbol negro Tupelo
elefante Bush
In Greek
Μαύρη Tupelo Δέντρο
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Árvore Tupelo Preto
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Czarny Tupelo Drzewo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Niger Tupelo ligno
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Cornales
Caryophyllales
Family
Nyssaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Nyssa
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
Bombini
-
Subfamily
Nyssoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
451
1
27800
👆🏻