CORNACEAE 
Black Gum. Pepperidge 
Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. [Nyssa multiflora Wang.] 
HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk 
diameter of 1-2 feet, forming a rounded to cylindrical crown of 
slender, spreading, pendulous branches and a stiff, flat spray. 
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, one-half as 
broad; 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-dioe- 
cious; greenish; borne on slender, downy peduncles; the stam- 
inate 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 
Y4 inch long, sour, in clusters of 1-3. 
WINTER-BUDS._4-% inch 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. 
‘WOOD.—Heavy, soft, strong, very tough, difficult to split, 
not durable in contact with the soil, pale yellow, with thick, whit- 
ish sapwood. 
DISTRIBUTION.—Frequent in the southern half of the 
Lower Peninsula. Has been reported as far north as ‘Manistee. 
HABITAT.—Prefers the borders of swamps and low, wet 
lands. Rarely flourishes in exposed situations. 
NOTES.—Of great ornamental value. Not easily trans- 
planted. Pith of twigs with thin, transverse partitions. 
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