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