Nyssa sylvatica Seeds | Black Tupelo Black Gum Brilliant Autumn Colour
LATIN NAME: Nyssa sylvatica
COMMON NAME: Black Tupelo
Plant Profile
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) grows as a tall, upright, deciduous tree in the tupelo family. Black gum turns its glossy, oval leaves to rich reds and oranges of autumn, and small, dark-blue fruits hang among them. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Nyssa sylvatica, a representative of the tupelo family with clear practical value. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Black Tupelo works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Black gum is a fine, stately tree of woodland edge and moist garden. Give young tree light shade and moist soil, and autumn colours will come in years to come. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Tupelo trees give the finest, slowest-crystallizing honey in America and unrivaled scarlet autumn color; they are wetland healers and bird feeders.
Growing from Seed
Starting Black Tupelo from seed is simple and satisfying. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Few garden plants carry such a documented history of use as this one does. Black Tupelo is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Moisture matters most while plants are young; established plants cope with far more.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Black Tupelo often pair it with these related subjects: