Blackgum

Blackgum
​Scientific name: Nyssa sylvatica
Family: Nyssaceae

Blackgum is commonly found in hardwood swamps with Red maple and Sweetgum. It tolerates very wet habitats and is the host of a rare parasitic species, dwarf-mistletoe. Dwarf-mistletoe is restricted to old-growth Blackgum trees. 

The leaves are simple and oval shaped, turning deep shades of red and orange in autumn. The blue-black fruits ripen as the leaves start to change. The twigs branch off perpendicular to the stem, creating a distinct pattern easy to recognize in winter.

Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) and Swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora) both occur in NJ. They are easily confused, but Swamp tupelo has flowers and fruits in pairs.

iNaturalist observation:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/111856624

​Lat: 39.479628
Lon: -74.529252
Accuracy: 17m
Geoprivacy: Open