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 deciduous shade tree that 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. It works well in a naturalized area, as a lawn, or street tree, or a low-lying area of the yard as it withstands wet sits well. It is found naturally in floofed swamps, pinelands, and pocosins. This plant is mostly dioecious: male plants are helpful in getting a female fruit set. This plant has a beautiful red fall color.
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 effect 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:
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- 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
- 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:
- 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
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Wet Soil
