Oxydendrum arboreumIndiana Native
Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum - Overall Summer Habit

Family:

Ericaceae (Heath Family) 30

Genus:

Oxydendrum (Sourwood Sorrel Tree Lily-Of-The-Valley Tree Tree, Sorrel Tree, Lily-Of-The-Valley) 1

Plant Type:

Tree 557

Growth Forms:

Upright 537

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 234

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 794

Flower Notes:

White (Small, urn-shaped flowers appear in mid summer)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer); Multi-Colored (An outstanding array of reds, purples, and yellows in the fall)

Stem Notes:

glabrous or sparsely pubescent, slender

Fruit Notes:

Cream (Subtly attractive capsules that persist into winter)

Ultimate Height:

25-30 feet

Ultimate Spread:

50-75 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Medium 105

Soil Notes:

Requires organic, acidic, moist, well-drained soils

Range:

Southeastern United States

Maintenance:

Low 122

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are 3-8" long by 1.5-3.5" wide, alternate, simple, oblong, and acuminate with finely serrated margins. The sessile buds are only 0.06" long. Stems are narrow can be olive to bright red. The distinctive bark is gray to brown with deep ridges and furrows. Flowers are small (0.25"), urn-shaped, and heavily produced if in high light conditions. Fruits are a capsule, 0.3" long, 5-valved tan to yellow.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

This plant gets it common and scientific name from its sour-tasting leaves. The genus name is derived from the Greek word "oxys", meaning sour, and "dendron", meaning tree. Honey produced from the pollen of Sourwood flowers is considered valuable. The attractive, slightly fragrant flowers are often prolifically produced, especially in full sun, and are effective for up to four weeks. Like all Ericaceous plants, Oxydendrum arboreum requires rich, organic, moist, well-drained, and acidic soil. This plant is best grown in full sun, but can tolerate some shade, at the expense of flowers and fall color. This plant is not appropriate for polluted, urban, or drought conditions.