Nyssa sylvatica Marsh

 Kingdom-Plantae (plant)  Subkingdom-Trachebionta (vascular)  Superdivision-Spermatophya (seed)  Division-Magnoliophyta (flowering)  Class-Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)  Subclass-Rosidae  Order-Cornales  Family-Cornaceae (dogwood)  Genus-Nyssa L. (tupelo)  Species-N. sylvatica (black gum)  Name- Nyssa sylvatica Marsh

Slow growing, deciduous tree in low wet lands. 30’ to 50’ tall. 20’ to 30’ wide. Pyramid looking in youth. Some horizontal branches have little support. fig. 1 fig. 2

Dark grayish brown in color. Block-like ridges occurring on the bark. fig. 3fig. 4

Young twigs are reddish brown but become light gray by the second growing season. Branches grow many twigs as they get older an get more spur shoots. fig. 5

Alternate leaf arrangement. Simple, oval shaped leaves. 3” to 6” long. 1.5” to 3” wide. In summer the foliage is dark green. In autumn leaves change from yellow or orange to red or purple. fig. 6 fig. 7

Buds are superposed or terminal. Can be brown, red, or a mixture of the two. 3-6 mm long. Oval shaped, either blunt or sharp. fig. 8

The tree flowers between March thru June. Small, greenish white flowers that can be male, female, or both. fig. 9

The fruit ripens in late September. The fruit comes from female trees only. Bluish-black and about half an inch long. Eaten by birds and squirrels. fig. 10

Native to the Northeast US down to Florida, as far west as Texas. North to one province of Canada. Found in bogs, marshes, and wetlands in low or high areas. fig. 11

The Sour Gum is commonly used as a shade tree or appreciated for its fall foliage. Its flowers aren’t especially ornamental. They are fire resistant. fig. 12

Figure reference fig. 1-Tree. (n.d.). Retrieved from cs.jpghttp:// cs.jpg fig. 2-Black and white tree. (n.d.). Retrieved from fig. 3-Tree bark. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 4-Tree trunk. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 5-Twig. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 6-Leaf. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 7-Leaves. (n.d.). Retrieved from fig. 8-Bud. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 9-Flower. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 10-Fruit. (2001). Retrieved from fig. 11-Map. (2010, May 19). Retrieved from fig. 12-Leaves. (2005, March 15). Retrieved from All references found June 21, 2010

Works refenced - Missouri botanical garden. (2010). Retrieved from -Evans, Erv. (n.d.). Nc state university. Retrieved from new/nyssa_sylvatica.html new/nyssa_sylvatica.html - Nyssa sylvatica. (n.d.). Retrieved from pdfhttp://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/ pdf -Uconn plant database. (2001). Retrieved from Usda plant profile. (2005, may 15). Retrieved from All works referenced found on June 21, 2010