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Black gum

How to identify Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

Black gum, also known as Sour gum, Beetlebung

Black gum exhibits a deeply furrowed, textural bark and branches that extend at approximately 90-degree angles from the main stem. Its leaves are elliptic to obovate with a lustrous, dark green upper surface and a lighter green on the undersides. In autumn, the foliage transforms, showcasing a vivid display of yellow, orange, purple, and red hues. The leaf margins are entire, but some might have irregular, coarse teeth toward the tips. From September to October, it bears bluish-black drupes. A key identification feature is the plant's chambered pith and the distinct arrangement of vascular bundles found within the leaf scars.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Black gum

1

Elliptic to obovate leaves with lustrous dark green upper surface

2

Distinct bluish-black drupes clustered on stalks in late summer to fall

3

Chambered pith and unique vascular bundle arrangement in leaf scars

4

Ridged texture on developing bark evolving into cobbled rectangular blocks

5

Slender branches growing at right angles from the trunk, forming a distinctive pattern

Black gumBlack gumBlack gumBlack gumBlack gum

Detailed Traits of Black gum

Leaf Features

Black gum's leaves are dark green on the upper surface and paler green underneath. They measure 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) long and 0.5 to 3 inches (1.3 to 7.6 cm) wide. The leaves are alternate, elliptic to obovate, with blunt points and pubescent veins. In the fall, they turn yellow, orange, red, or purple. On young trees, leaves may feature coarse teeth. The reddish petiole is 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) long.

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Black gum Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Black gum Leaf Apex image
Leaf Margin

Entire

Black gum Leaf Margin image
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Flower Features

The flowers of black gum bloom from May to June and are small, greenish-yellow in color. They are about 1/8 inch (3 mm) in diameter and occur in small clusters. Each individual flower is inconspicuous, lacking showy features. The flowers are arranged in such a way that they can easily be overlooked, contributing to the overall subtlety of the plant's floral display.

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Stem Features

The stem of black gum is characterized by its gray to brown coloration. The slender, moderately thick limbs grow at right angles to the trunk. It possesses a smooth to slightly rough texture, slightly scaly as it matures. Typically, the branches are slender, measuring around 0.2 - 0.8 inches (0.5 - 2 cm) in diameter. The angular growth pattern and color make it a distinctive feature for identifying this plant.

Black gum Stem imageBlack gum Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of black gum is a drupe, transitioning from green to a bluish-black hue as it matures by late summer to fall. These fruits are distinctly round to oval in shape, each measuring approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch long (9.5 to 12.7 millimeters) and are clustered on stalks roughly 1 1/2 inches long (38 millimeters). They have a thin, bitter-smelling flesh encasing small, ribbed seeds. Notably sour to the palate, they are primarily consumed by birds and small mammals rather than humans.

Black gum Fruit imageBlack gum Fruit imageBlack gum Fruit image
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Key Facts About Black gum

Attributes of Black gum
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
20 m to 25 m
Spread
6 m to 9 m
Leaf Color
Green
Red
Orange
Purple
Blue
Yellow
Flower Size
1.3 cm
Flower Color
Green
Yellow
White
Fruit Color
Black
Blue
Stem Color
Green
Red
Yellow
Blue
Orange
Black
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Black gum

Family
Tupelo
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Genus
Tupelo
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Species
Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
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Distribution Map of Black gum

Black gum is native to the eastern half of the United States, Ontario, and Mexico. It grows in low, wet woodlands but also does well in drier sites, including gravelly or sandy soil, loam, and clay.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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