The Trees of Vermont 183 



CORNACEAE 



IJIjK'k (iluin. Tupelo 



Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. [Nyssa multitlura Wang.] 



ILviiiT. — A medium-sized tree 20-40 feet high, with a trunk di- 

 ameter of 1-2 feet, forming a rounded to cylindrical crown of slender, 

 spreading, pendulous hranchcs and a stiff, flat spray. 



Leaves. — Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, one-half as hroad ; 

 oblong-obovate to oval ; entire, or sometimes wavy-margined ; thick 

 and firm ; very lustrous and dark green above, pale and often hairy 

 beneath, turning bright scarlet, on the upper surface only, in autumn ; 

 petioles short. 



Flowers. — May-June, with the leaves ; polygamo-dioecious ; 

 greenish ; borne on slender, downy peduncles ; the staminate slender- 

 pedicelled, in many-flowered heads ; the pistillate sessile, in several- 

 flowered clusters; calyx cup-shaped, 5-toothed ; petals 5; stamens 5-10; 

 stigma stout, terete, recurved. 



Fruit. — October; fleshy drupes, ovoid, blue-black, about Yi inch 

 long, sour, in clusters of 1-3. 



Winter-buds. — ^-/4 ii^ch long, ovoid, obtuse, dark red. 



Bark. — Twigs greenish or light brown, smooth or often downy, 

 becoming smooth, dark red-brown ; thick, red-brown on old trunks, 

 deeply furrowed. Plate VIII. 



Wood. — Heavy, soft, strong, very tough, difficult to split, not 

 durable in contact with the soil, pale yellow, with thick, whitish sap- 

 wood. 



Distribution.— Occasional along the shores of Lake Champlain 

 and in the adjacent river-bottoms ; also in southwestern Vermont ; has 

 been found in central Vermont as far north as Craftsbury. 



Habitat. — Prefers the borders of swamps and low, wet lands. 

 Rarely flourishes in exposed situations. 



Notes. — The sour gum has a peculiar appearance with horizontal 

 branches and smooth or glossy leaves, borne in beech-like sprays. Its 

 greenish flowers appear in June and are followed by the dark-blue, 

 egg-shaped fruits, one-half of an inch long, with thin, acid flesh, 

 ripening in October. It is of great ornamental value when planted 

 within its range. 



