| a tree, Nyssa sylvatica, of eastern North America, having elliptic leaves, dark-blue, berrylike fruit, and wood with a variety of commercial uses. |
| black gum n. See sour gum. |
| sour gum n. A deciduous tree (Nyssa sylvatica) of the eastern United States and Mexico, having glossy, somewhat leathery leaves and soft wood. Also called black gum, pepperidge. |
