Black Gum

Black Gum,Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica

Nyssaceae

▲ ▼ mature trees

▲ ▼ leaves showing brilliant red fall color

▲ ▼ trunk and bark (lower trunk has grown over barbed wire)

Location on Missouri State University campus: north side of Cheek Hall, southwest side of Elllis Hall, plus other locations

Nyssa sylvatica: Black Gum, Black Tupelo, Sourgum, Pepperidge

• leaves, simple, deciduous, alternate, ovate with entire margins; 3-6" long and 2 as wide; dark green above and glaucous underneath
• stems slender, glabrous, tan, often with short leafy spurs; chambered pith
• bark is dark gray-brown, similar to white oak bark with furrows and platey ridges
• grows 30-50' tall in upright oval to pyramidal shape
• fruit is an oblong, blue-black drupe
• prefers full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained, high organic-matter, acid soils; tolerates fairly dry soil
• slow to medium growth rate
• native to Missouri