Nyssa

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. a genus of flowering plants characterized by their deciduous nature, often found in wetlands and valued for their foliage, while also representing numerous species used in outdoor spaces
2. a type of tree or shrub recognized for its presence in moist environments, often associated with horticultural uses and known for unique leaves that enhance landscapes
3. A group of plants including trees and shrubs that shed their leaves annually and typically thrive in wet or swampy areas

Etymology: Linnaeus gave this genus its name in the 18th century, borrowing it from Nyssa, a water nymph of Greek mythology. The choice fits the plants: the trees thrive in swamps, bottomlands, and wet soils, the kind of places where a water spirit might be imagined. Greek writers also applied the name Nysa to several mythological places associated with the nymphs who cared for the god Dionysus, so the name carried associations of wild, watery, remote spots. The genus is native mainly to eastern North America and East Asia. Its best-known member is black gum, "Nyssa sylvatica," whose name in English often appears as tupelo, a word borrowed from a Creek term for a swamp tree. In gardens, the trees are valued for their glossy leaves, which often turn brilliant red and orange in autumn.