A tree belonging to the genus Nyssa of the sour gum family, Nyssaceae. The most common species is N. sylvatica, variously called pepperidge, black gum, or sour gum, the authorized name being black tupelo. Tupelo grows in the easternmost third of the United States; southern Ontario, Canada; and Mexico. In moist soil this tree usually ranges from 60 to 80 ft (18–24 m) in height and 2 to 3 ft (0.6–0.9 m) in diameter, but some may be 110 ft (33 m) tall and 5 ft (1.5 m) in diameter.