Black Gum Nyssa biflora
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Black Gum:
- Phonetic Spelling
- Ne-suh by-FLOR-uh
- Description
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Black gum is a large deciduous shade tree in the Nyssaceae family native to the United States. It is found naturally in flooded swamps, pinelands, and pocosins where it can grow 60 to 100 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained acidic soils. This slow-growing tree is difficult to transplant so choose its location wisely.
Black gum t is mostly dioecious, meaning it has separate male and femaile trees. The male trees are necessary in getting fruit set. This plant has stunning red fall color.
Use in a naturalized area, as a lawn,, or street tree, or a low-lying area of the yard as it withstands wet sits well.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Tolerant of heat. Leaf miners and scale are occasional visitors. Canker, leaf spots, and rust can affect stressed trees.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nyssa
- Species:
- biflora
- Family:
- Nyssaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- lumber, veneer, paper pulp, railroad ties, flooring, rollers in glass factories, blocks, gunstocks, and pistol grips
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern to middle United States
- Distribution:
- NJ south to FL west to TX AK MI IL east through KY VI and MD,
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are a nectar source for bees. Fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- dark purplish blue drupe ½-⅝ inch long, They are available August-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom April-June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- alternate simple elliptical entire margined 3-6 inch long 1-2 inch wide leaf
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- greyish brown and ridged bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Wet Soil
