Black-gum

Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. var. biflora (Walt.) Sarg.

Cornaceae

Description

Black-gum, also named black tupelo is a medium to large sized tree growing upwards to 100 feet in height. The bark is brown to black or gray and is deeply furrowed and broken into small irregular blocks. The simple leaves are alternate, deciduous and oval to ovate in shape. The leaves are 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 8 cm wide. The leaves are lustrous green above and paler but pubescent below. The dioecious flowers are greenish and occur in axillary clusters. The fruit is a bluish black drupe with 1 to 3 flowers clustered on long stems. The fruit has a solitary light brown seed. It is found growing in swamps, lowlands, and open sandy woodlands. The fruit is bluish black drupe. The fruit are eaten by squirrels and several species of birds. The fruit of black gum are eaten by squirrels and several species of birds.