Figure 100.—Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)

Other Common Names

Sorrel tree, sour gum, elk tree.

Habitat And Range

Sourwood is found in woods, Pennsylvania to Indiana and Alabama and Florida.

Description

This is a smooth-barked tree reaching a maximum height of 60 feet with a trunk 15 inches in diameter. The pointed oblong or elliptic, finely and sharply toothed leaves are from 4 to 6 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. The small, white, waxlike flowers, produced in June and July, are borne in long, slender, 1-sided, clustered racemes. The reddish-brown wood is hard and heavy.

Part Used

The leaves.