Sour Gum, Black Gum, Black Tupelo, Pepperidge               NIS-a sil-VAT-i-ka

• Deciduous tree, 30-50 ft, (9-15 m), pyramidal to irregular rounded, variable.  Leaves alternate, ovate, obovate to elliptic (i.e., variable), 7.5-15 cm long, entire margin, but sometimes remotely toothed, glossy (waxy) upper and dull lower surface, good fall color, often bright red.  Dioecious - male and female plants- flowers small, greenish-yellow, in small clusters, more or less inconspicuous.  Fruit, small, green, then blue-black, drupe, 12 mm long.
• Its variable nature can make it difficult to identify from a small shoot.  Look for three vascular bundles in a leaf scar and inspect for chambered pith.
• Sun or partial shade.  Difficult to transplant because of taproot.  Prefers moist, well-drained, acid soils. Does not tolerate high pH. Shelter from wind.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 3     Native from Maine, Ontario, Michigan to Florida and Texas.
• Nyssa: after Nyssa, a water nymph in Greek mythology.  sylvatica: of the woods.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: row on the north side of the sports field south of Crop Science.