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Glite Dictionary
Nyssa sylvatica

Nyssa sylvatica

1 9.9
A tree from eastern North America that loses its leaves and turns bright red in autumn
  • noun
  • /ˈnɪsə sɪlˈvætɪkə/
  • Specialized
: 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

black gum
vsNyssa sylvatica
  • Specialized
1 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
1 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
pepperidge
vsNyssa sylvatica
  • US
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

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.