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Glite Dictionary
Nyssa sylvatica

Nyssa sylvatica

9.9
A tree from eastern North America that loses its leaves and turns bright red in autumn
  • noun
  • /ˈnɪsə sɪlˈvætɪkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Nyssa sylvatica
  • The Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as blackgum, changes color beautifully in the fall.
  • blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)

Examples

  • In many respects, blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) is enigmatic, and it is certainly unique among eastern US hardwood species.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Range map for blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) in the eastern United States (adapted from Little 1971).

    Academic text (2007)

  • Keywords: Nyssa sylvatica; land-use history; witness trees; forest geography; ecophysiology

    Academic text (2007)

  • PREFORMATTED TABLE Table 2. Ecophysiological and life history attributes of blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica).

    Academic text (2007)

  • No species in the eastern United States better exemplifies a ubiquitous yet subordinate tree than does blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica).

    Academic text (2007)

  • Many birds seek shelter in the branches of the Nyssa sylvatica due to its broad canopy.

  • In eastern North America, the Nyssa sylvatica is a favorite for landscapes because of its striking shape.

Synonyms

pepperidge
vsNyssa sylvatica
  • US
1 9.9

A tree with a tall trunk, horizontal branches, and bright red autumn leaves

has identical meaning but is one of several common names
black gum
vsNyssa sylvatica
  • Specialized
7.5

A tall tree in eastern North America with horizontal branches and bright red autumn leaves

has identical meaning but is an alternative common name
sour gum
vsNyssa sylvatica
  • US
8.4

A tree that loses its leaves in autumn and has bright red leaves and small blue berries

has the same meaning as other common names

Surface Forms

Nyssa sylvatica singular

Morphology

Nyssa + sylvatica

This is a scientific Latin binomial (genus + species) serving as a proper name for a particular tree; its species identity and common-name meaning ('black gum tree') are lexicalized and not compositionally derived from the parts. One constituent here ('sylvatica') has no dictionary gloss, and even if a learner knew 'Nyssa' as a genus they would not reliably infer the species' common name or characteristics, so the expression is not transparently interpretable by a B1 learner.

Etymology

Nyssa sylvatica may come from a Greek 'water nymph' called Nyssa and the Latin word sylvatica, which means 'of the woods'. So the name suggests a woodland tree that likes wet places, which fits this eastern American tree with its tall, narrow shape and bright red leaves in autumn.