Oxydendrum arboreum

1 / 6

Common name: sourwood, sorrel tree, lily-of-the-valley tree

Family: Ericaceae

Distribution: southestern United States

Habitat: Forest, acidic soils to 1800m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 5b -15 to -10 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Usage: Ornamental flowering tree

Comments: A deciduous understory tree that is native to the eastern United States from Pennsylvania south to Florida and Louisiana. Commonly found on rocky wooded slopes in the Appalachian Mountains, growing in combination with other heath family members that share the same acidic soil preferences. In cultivation, it typically grows 20-25’ tall with a straight, slender trunk and narrow oblong crown. Gray bark on mature trees is fissured, ridged and scaly. Finely-toothed, glossy green leaves to 5-8” long are reminiscent of peach. Leaves have a sour taste, hence the common name. Leaves produce consistently excellent fall color, typically turning crimson red. Waxy, lily-of-the-valley-like, white flowers bloom on slender, drooping, one-sided terminal panicles 4-8” long in early summer. Flowers have a slight fragrance.

Best grown in acidic, moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but with somewhat diminished flowering and fall color. Intolerant of drought. Intolerant of urban pollution.

Links: Great Plant Picks

1: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 1979-2781/1 • Provenance: Garden
2: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 1992-038/1 • Provenance: Garden
3: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 2005-111/1 • Origin: United States of America • Provenance: Garden
4: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 2019-183/1 • Provenance: Garden
5: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 2019-183/2 • Provenance: Garden
6: 2000 s, 300 e (ST 2000,300) • Accession: 2021-062/1 • Provenance: Garden
7: 2400 s, 1400 e (ST 2400,1400) • Accession: 1979-3388/1 • Provenance: Garden
8: Herbarium (HERB) • Accession: 1979-2781 • Provenance: Garden
9: Herbarium (HERB) • Accession: 1979-3388 • Provenance: Garden
10: Herbarium (HERB) • Accession: 2005-111 • Origin: United States of America • Provenance: Garden

Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Plant Database

Taxon

Oxydendrum arboreum

Locations