Black-Gum, Blackgum, Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica Marshall

Cornaceae

Description

Blackgum, also named Black Tupelo, is a medium to large-sized tree growing up to 100 ft or 30.5 m 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 male and female flowers occur on separate trees. The male flowers appear in spherical clusters, and the female flowers appear as one or several on a long stalk coming from the leaf axil. Bloom time occurs from April to June. The fruit is a bluish-black drupe and has a solitary light-brown seed. The fruits are eaten by squirrels and several species of birds. Nectar may be used by bee species.

Habitat

Blackgum can be found growing in swamps, lowlands, depressions, coastal plains, and open sandy woodlands. Its distribution ranges from Maine down to Florida, westward to Missouri, and south to Texas. It can be found in a variety of climates and survive a wide range of temperatures.