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Black Gum
Black Gum botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

Honeybees are drawn to black gum for its high-quality nectar, which supports a notable honey flow in its range, and to a lesser extent for pollen from male trees. Bloom peaks in May to June, offering early-season resources after many spring flowers. This dioecious native tree thrives in moist, acidic soils with no invasive tendencies, though it may require space due to its size.

Nectarhigh
Pollenmedium
BloomMay–June
USDA zones3-9
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
NativeEastern North America
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