Tupelo

Tupelo, name of several trees belonging to the Nyssaceae family, found in Southeast Asia and in North America. The trees produce small white flowers and fruits, which provide food for many species of birds. The wood of the tupelo is used for making boxes, baskets, and other wooden products. The black tupelo, or Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), is found in moist areas of the United States and in parts of Canada and Mexico. It grows from 35–80 ft (11–24 m) tall. The water tupelo, or sourgum (N. aquatica), is found in swamps in the southeastern United States. It grows as tall as 115 ft (35 m).