FAMILY: CORNACEAE (formerly NYSSACEAE)

ALTERNATE COMMON NAME: swamp blackgum

LEAVES: alternate, simple, deciduous; 2-4" long, shiny, smooth; variable shaped - broadly lanceolate to obovate to elliptical, margins smooth or irregularly toothed, thick

FLOWER: greenish, long peduncles, axillary cluster; flowers when leaves are almost fully out

FRUIT: plum like, 1/2 inch long, black; pit with distinct ribs; 1 or 2 fruit per stalk

TWIGS: diaphragmed pith

BARK: gray, furrowed

FORM: medium sized tree 60-100’ tall; butt swell (buttressing) similar to water tupelo

HABITAT: wet sites in non-alluvial swamps (not river swamps)

WETLAND DESIGNATION: Obligate Wetland (OBL): Almost always occurs in wetlands of the Atlantic and Gulf Coast Plain Region

RANGE: coastal plains

USES: seed eaten by wildlife (bear, raccoons, woodducks, quail, turkey, songbirds), deer browse; wood interlocking grain - can’t be split, furniture, tools, pulp, veneer for plywood; ornamentals; honey

Best Recognition Features:

1. variable leaves
2. buttressing
3. wet-site habitat
4. fruit in clusters of 2

NOTE: var. sylvatica (hill blackgum) - leaves wider and longer, flowers appear before leaves are out; flowers and fruit usually clusters; ribs on fruit are indistinct