Nyssaceae

Nyssaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Cornales. In contemporary classifications, it is recognized as containing a single genus, Nyssa, whose species are commonly known as tupelos. Nyssa is native to temperate and subtropical regions of North America and Asia, with several species in the southeastern United States.

Nyssa trees are deciduous and typically medium to large, with simple, alternately arranged leaves that are usually entire. Leaves often turn yellow or red in autumn. Flowers are small and white, produced in loose panicles; species are generally dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The fruit is a blue-black drupe containing a single seed.

Nyssa species grow in a range of moist habitats, from swamps and bottomlands to well-drained forests. They tolerate flooding and are often among the canopy trees in wetlands. Flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and fruits are an important food source for birds and mammals in autumn. The nectar of Nyssa blooms is associated with tupelo honey.

The wood of Nyssa is valued for hardness and durability, used in furniture and veneers, and the trees are sometimes planted ornamentally in landscapes. Some species are involved in wetland restoration projects. In classification systems such as APG IV, Nyssaceae is treated as a distinct family with Nyssa as the sole genus; older systems sometimes placed Nyssa within Cornaceae or included additional genera.