Black-gum Tree

Black Tupelo

The black tupelo, more commonly known as the black-gum tree, is a medium sized tree native to Tinjir, growing primarily along the marshy coasts of Tobia's Gulf. The tree grows to between 60-80 feet tall, with a tall straight trunk usually between 2 1/2 to 3 feet in diameter.

Black-gums are found in nearly every wetland habitat on the Thoamaine Peninsula. Its flowers are one of the largest sources of honey in the Farlands, and the fruit are important food source to many birds and mammals of the region. While the pulp of the fruit is edible, it is extremely sour and bitter and largely ignored by the natives of the region. Though it is often used a garnish for means and drinks in a similar vein as the Normon use of lime juice. The Akadian are the only natives that will eat the fruit right off the branch.

The trees wood is hard and cross-grained, making it difficult to split once dried. This, and its abundance, makes it a popular wood for machinery equipment such as pulley, wheel-axels, and tool handles. Many Thoamaine towns use the wood for paving blocks or planks.

The Sarhareia of Mainor are known to chew on young twigs of the black-gum trees for purposes of mouth cleaning. They also favor the seasonal red and purple leaves in decoration their mound's interiors.