Sourwood
ExplorePlants
Sourwood
oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood, also known as the sorrel tree, is a deciduous understory tree native to the eastern United States, particularly renowned in the Appalachian region. Celebrated for its striking late-summer blooms and brilliant autumn foliage, it is a standout species in deciduous forests, where it rarely exceeds moderate heights. It is highly prized by beekeepers, as its delicate white bell-shaped flowers yield an incredibly rich, light-colored honey with a distinctively sharp, sweet flavor. Its sour-tasting leaves, which contain oxalic acid, give the tree both its common and scientific names.
Habitat: Found in well-drained, acidic soils of upland deciduous forests, ridges, and slopes, often growing alongside oaks and pines.
Appearance
Sourwood typically grows 9 to 15 meters tall, featuring a slender trunk and a rounded canopy. Its bark is thick, deeply furrowed, and gray-brown, resembling alligator skin on older specimens. The leaves are oblong, finely serrated, and a glossy green during spring and summer, turning a breathtaking brilliant crimson to purple in early autumn. In mid-to-late summer, the tree produces drooping panicles of small, white, urn-shaped flowers that resemble lilies-of-the-valley, which eventually dry into persistent woody seed capsules.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusOxydendrum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Mountain hikers sometimes chew on the leaves to alleviate thirst, as the sour taste stimulates saliva production.
Sourwood honey is highly prized and rare because the trees bloom for only a short period in mid-summer, requiring beekeepers to time their hive placements perfectly.
The common name 'Sourwood' and scientific name 'Oxydendrum' (sour wood in Greek) both refer to the acidic, sour taste of the leaves.
Special abilities
Ability
Acidic Sap Defense
The leaves contain oxalic acid, giving them a sour taste that deters many generalist herbivores and insect pests.
Ability
Late-Season Blooming
Unlike most forest trees, it blooms in mid-to-late summer, avoiding competition for pollinators and providing a vital late-season nectar source.
Ability
Vibrant Autumn Adaptation
Rapidly produces anthocyanin pigments in autumn, protecting its leaves from light damage as it resorbs nutrients before shedding.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 900-1800 cm
- Lifespan
- 100-200 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic plant, sourwood produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential nutrients absorbed from acidic soil.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil minerals
Foraging Method
- Photosynthesis
Ecological connections
mutualism
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Bees pollinate the flowers while harvesting nectar to produce famous sourwood honey.
host plant
Cecropia Moth
Hyalophora cecropia
The caterpillars of this giant silk moth feed on the leaves of the sourwood.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on the twigs and leaves of sourwood, especially during the winter.
Traits
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Also known as
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Sourwood?
The easiest way to identify Sourwood is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Sourwood?
900-1800 cm
How long does Sourwood live?
100-200 years
What does Sourwood eat?
As a photosynthetic plant, sourwood produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential nutrients absorbed from acidic soil.
Where is Sourwood usually found?
Found in well-drained, acidic soils of upland deciduous forests, ridges, and slopes, often growing alongside oaks and pines.
How does Sourwood hunt?
Photosynthesis
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