Nyssa ogeche

Ogeche - tupelo ( Nyssa ogeche )

The ogeche - tupelo ( Nyssa ogeche ) is a plant of the genus Tupelobäume ( Nyssa ). Its blossoms allows recovery of Tupelohonigs. This type is often referred to briefly as tupelo, but there are other species in the genus. The ogeche - tupelo was discovered by William Bartram along the " Ogeechee River" in Georgia.

Description

The shade -tolerant Nyssa ogeche grows as a deciduous shrub or tree. If the old master dies, a new growth takes place from the " rhizome " and leads to a thicket -like existence. It will reach 30-61 cm trunk diameter. The dark brown bark is 3.2 mm thick. The change-constant leaves are simple. The leaf margin is smooth to notched. The lush green summer foliage takes on a spectacular autumn color from yellow through orange to red and purple on.

The flowering period extends from late March to early May, after the new leaves are fully developed. Nyssa ogeche is polygamous - dioecious ( triözisch ): First, there are " female " trees with hermaphrodite and female flowers, on the other hand, there are " male " trees with only male flowers. The tiny flowers have greenish-yellow petals. The male flowers are in tangles together over a 1.3 mm long peduncle. They have a thick disc and produce a lot of nectar, so many bees are attracted. The female flowers appear singly on short, 1.6 mm long, woody stems. They have a woolly cup-shaped calyx and a stocky, from the base of the bent-back style that is still present on the fruit.

The first golden yellow with a slight greenish tint in autumn red stone fruit is 3-4 cm long. It has an acidic flesh and is edible. Each drupe contains mostly one, rarely two seeds. The bright seed is 3 cm long. The fruit ripens in July and August, but remains on the tree until November and December, when the leaves have fallen.

Occurrence

Nyssa ogeche grows in the swamps and river valleys of South Carolina, Florida and a small area in Georgia. One of the main distribution areas in the United States is called the Forgotten Coast in the Florida Panhandle, and although there along the rivers Apalachicola, Chipola, Choctawhatchee, and Ochlocknee.

Tupelo Honey

In spring the tree wearing a veil of white flowers and fills the sump there with a serious sweet - aromatic fragrance.

Since the beginning of the 20th century there of about 100 beekeepers family farms with the help of the western honey bee a varietal honey, the " tupelo " won. The bee colonies are placed on specially built bridges over the water surface. The bee colonies are secured by electric fences against the stray field in the black bear.

The honey sweetness combines with a heavy spicy aroma. Its color is light gold with a green tinge. Pure honey has twice as much fructose as 46% dextrose with 23%. Therefore He did not candied. From the consistency it resembles honey locust. In addition to local sales in the cities of Wewahitchka, Loxahatchee, Chattahoochee and to Tallahassee, the honey is sold as a specialty across the U.S. and is especially sought by Metherstellern.

Art

Book

• Holley Bishop: Robbing Bees. 2005th The novel portrays the author of the New York beekeeper Donald Smiley from Wewahitchka.

Music

The honey is sung with the song Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison, eponym of the album on which the song appeared.

Film

The family drama Ulee 's Gold with Peter Fonda was filmed in the tradition of beekeeping Lanier in Wewahitchka. In the credits Van Morrison's song Tupelo Honey sounds.

Source

• ER Root: The gold of the " Forgotten Coast ". From bees, trees and boats. General in ADIZ German beekeepers newspaper, September 2008, pp. 24-26
• Susan Kossuth & Robert L. Scheer: Ogeechee Tupelo, Nyssa ogeche Bartr. ex Marsh. Online.
• Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson: datasheet Ogeechee Tupelo, Nyssa ogeche.