Vor. IT.] DOGWOOD FAMILY. 547 
1. Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. Pepperidge. Sour Gum. Tupelo. (Fig. 2721.) 
Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. Arb. Am. 97. 1785. 
Nyssa multiflora Wang. Holz. 46. pl. 16. 1787. 
A large tree, with rough bark, reaching a 
maximum height of 110° and trunk diameter 
of 5°; branches horizontal, especially when 
the tree is young. Leaves obovate or oval, 
acute, acuminate, or obtuse at the apex, 
usually narrowed at the base, entire, glabrous 
and shining above, more or less pubescent 
beneath, 2’-4’ long; petioles 4/’-7’” long; 
staminate flowers in compound capitate clus- 
ters; pistillate flowers larger, 2-14 together; 
fruit ovoid, nearly black, 4’’-7’’ long, acid; 
stone ovoid, more or less flattened and ridged. 
In rich soil, most abundant in swamps, Maine 
and Ontario to Florida, Michigan and Texas. 
Leaves crimson in autumn, rarely angulate- 
toothed on young trees. Wood soft, tough, 
light yellow; weight per cubic foot 4o lbs. 
Called also Black Gum. April-June. 
2. Nyssa bifléra Walt. Southern Tupelo. Water Tupelo. (Fig. 2722.) 
Nyssa biflora Walt. Fl. Car. 253. 1788. 
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora Sargent, Sylva, 5: 76. 
pl. 218. 1893. 
Similar to the preceding species, the base 
swollen. Leaves mostly smaller and narrower, 
oval, oblong or obovate, entire, obtuse, or some- 
times acute at the apex, narrowed or rounded 
at the base, 1-5’ long, rarely more than 114’ 
wide, glabrous when mature, sometimes loosely 
pubescent when young; staminate flowers in 
compound or simple cymes; pistillate flowers 
only 1-3 together; fruit oval, or subglobose, 
3//-6’’ long, acid; stone oval or oblong, dis- 
tinctly flattened and furrowed. 
In swamps and along ponds, New Jersey (ac- 
cording to Coulter and Evans); Virginia to Florida 
and Alabama. April-May. Perhaps intergrades 
with the preceding species. Opinions differ as to 
whether the name agua/ica belongs more properly 
to this species or the following, both having been 
included in one species by Linnaeus. 
” fits , 
3. Nyssa aquatica L. Large Tupelo. 
Cotton or Tupelo Gum. (Fig. 2723.) 
Nyssa aquatica I,. Sp. Pl. 1058. 1753. 
Nyssa uniflora Wang. Am. 83. pl. 27. f. 57. 1787. 
A large tree, reaching a maximum height of 
about 100° and trunk diameter of 4°. Leaves slen- 
der-petioled, ovate or oval, angular-dentate, or en- 
tire, acute, or acuminate at the apex, rounded, 
often cordate, sometimes narrowed at the base, 
downy-pubescent beneath, especially when young, 
becoming glabrate on both sides, 3’—10’ long; stam- 
inate flowers in compound capitate clusters; pis- 
tillate flower larger, solitary; fruit oval, dark blue 
when ripe, 8//-15’’ long; stone narrowly obovate, 
flattened, spongy, with several sharp longitudinal 
ridges. 
In swamps, southern Virginia to Florida, west to IIli- 
nois, Missouri and Texas. Wood soft, tough, light brown, 
or nearly white; weight per cubic foot 29 lbs. April. 
