Nyssa sylvatica fine and abundant and lies horizontally so that the foliage arrangement is not unlike that of the beech "(Fagus)". Its often spectacular autumnal coloring, with intense reds to purples, is highly valued in landscape settings. It is the most fiery and brilliant of the 'brilliant group' that includes maple, dogwood, sassafras, and sweet gum, as well as various species of tupelo. In the UK the cultivar ‘Wisley Bonfire’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. "Nyssa sylvatica" is a major source of wild honey in many areas within its range. Hollow sections of black gum trunks were
Nyssa sylvatica Nyssa sylvatica Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as Tupelo, Black gum, sour gum, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern North America from the coastal Northeast USA and southern Ontario south to central Florida and eastern Texas, as well as Mexico. "Nyssa sylvatica"'s genus name "(Nyssa)" refers to a Greek water nymph; the species epithet "sylvatica" refers to its woodland habitat. The species' common name tupelo is of Native American origin, coming from the Creek words "ito" ‘tree’ and "opilwa" ‘swamp’; it was in use by the mid-18th century While these trees are often known as simply "tupelo", the fuller