# Lewis' mock orange (*Philadelphus lewisii*) Lewis' mock orange is a lovely shrub that blooms with bright white flowers in spring. It has a sweet, citrusy smell that attracts butterflies and bees, making gardens feel magical! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Lewis' mock orange](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Philadelphus_July_2013-1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philadelphus_July_2013-1.jpg) ## Appearance The Lewis' mock orange is a deciduous shrub with an upright, arching habit. It has clusters of four-petaled, bright white flowers, sometimes with purple blotches at their base. Its oval, green leaves appear opposite on the stems, giving it a dense, bushy appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Cornales - **Family:** Hydrangeaceae - **Genus:** Philadelphus ## Interesting facts - It's the official state flower of Idaho, chosen for its beauty! - Its sweet-smelling flowers were sometimes used to make fragrant soaps. - Native Americans crafted sturdy arrows and tools from its resilient wood. - Unlike real oranges, the plant's tiny seed capsules are not for eating! ## Special abilities - **Scent Signal:** Lewis' mock orange has intensely fragrant flowers that release sweet scents to attract insect pollinators from afar. - **Drought Defender:** This plant can withstand long dry periods, thanks to its robust root system that helps it find water. - **Shelter Builder:** Its thick, bushy branches create excellent hiding spots and safe nesting areas for small birds and creatures. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late_spring_to_early_summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers - **Pollinates:** two-form bumble bee (*Bombus bifarius*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen - **Eats:** [elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — Browses on its leaves and young shoots - **Shelter:** [dark-eyed junco](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-eyed-junco) (*Junco hyemalis*) — Nests and roosts within its dense branches ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always enjoy plants from a distance and don't eat any parts unless an adult says it's safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lewis' mock orange? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Lewis' mock orange? 100-300 cm ### How wide does Lewis' mock orange spread? 100-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on Lewis' mock orange? 2-5 cm ### When does Lewis' mock orange bloom? Late_spring_to_early_summer ### Is Lewis' mock orange edible? No ### Is Lewis' mock orange toxic? None ### What is Lewis' mock orange's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Bromley Rock Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bromley-rock-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [John A. Finch Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-a-finch-arboretum) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Leach Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leach-botanical-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Manito Park and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manito-park-and-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Portland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/portland-aquarium) — Oregon, US · Zoo [View all places to see Lewis' mock orange](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lewis-mock-orange) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Lewis' mock orange: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lewis-mock-orange)