blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Family: Cornaceae
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| Form:
This is a medium sized reaching 60 – 80 ft. in height. It’s branches often grow at right angles. |
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Leaves: Shape: obovate to elliptical; abruptly acuminate Margin: entire Texture: glabrous Variation: parallel |
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| Bark:
The bark is light grayish-brown in color, fissured, and broken into blocks. |
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| Twigs and Buds:
It has a leaf scar with 3 bundle scars. The twig is light brown. |
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| Flowers and Fruit:
It produces a fleshy purple-black drupe. Flowers hangs in clusters and are greenish-white in color. |
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| Distinguishing Characteristics:
It has alternate leaves which distinguishes it from flowering dogwood. It can be confused with sourwood. However, it does not have hairs along the midrib like sourwood and it has a more tear dropped leaf shape. |
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| Range:
Central Florida north to southwest Maine west to west Tennessee. |
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| Silvics:
It has intermediate tolerance to shade and prefers mesic to dry uplands. |
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| Ecological and Cultural Importance:
The fruit is good for animals. It develops bright red fall foliage before other trees begin to change. The wood has been used for gun stocks and pistol grips. |
