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Oxydendrum
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{{refimprove|date=May 2025}} {{Short description|Genus of trees}} {{Italic title}} {{Speciesbox | name = Sourwood | image = Oxydendrum arboreum.jpg | image_upright = 1.15 | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Stritch, L. |date=2018 |title=''Oxydendrum arboreum'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T62002889A62003254 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T62002889A62003254.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | display_parents = 3 | grandparent_authority = Cox | genus = Oxydendrum | parent_authority = [[A. P. de Candolle|DC.]] | species = arboreum | authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]) [[A. P. de Candolle|DC.]] | range_map = Oxydendrum map.png }} '''''Oxydendrum arboreum''''', {{IPAc-en|Λ|Ι|k|s|α΅»|Λ|d|Ι|n|d|r|Ι|m|_|Ιr|Λ|b|ΙΙr|i|Ι|m}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Sunset Western Garden Book |date=1995 |pages=606β607}}</ref> the '''sourwood''' or '''sorrel tree''', is the sole [[species]] in the [[genus]] '''''Oxydendrum''''', in the family [[Ericaceae]]. It is native to eastern [[North America]], from southern [[Pennsylvania]] south to northwest [[Florida]] and west to southern [[Illinois]]; it is most common in the lower chain of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The tree is frequently seen as a component of [[oak-heath forest]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/ncTIIIe.shtml |title=The Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Version 2.3) |publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115181617/http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/ncTIIIe.shtml |archive-date=2009-01-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Schafale |first1=M. P. |last2=A. S. |first2=Weakley |date=1990 |title=Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina: third approximation |publisher=North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation}}</ref> [[File:Oxydendron arboreum-foliage.jpg|left|thumb|Foliage]] ==Growth== {{unreferencedsect|date=May 2025}} Sourwood is a small [[tree]] or large [[shrub]], growing to {{convert|10|-|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall with a trunk up to {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} diameter. Occasionally on extremely productive sites, this species can reach heights in excess of 30 meters and 60 cm diameter. The [[leaves]] are alternately arranged, [[deciduous]], {{convert|8|β|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|4|β|9|cm|in|abbr=on}} broad, with a finely [[serrated]] margin; they are dark green in summer, but turn vivid red in fall. The [[flower]]s are white, bell-shaped, 6β9 mm ( 1/4 to 1/3 inch) long, produced on {{convert|15|β|25|cm|in|abbr=on}} long [[panicle]]s. The [[fruit]] is a small woody [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]]. The [[root]]s are shallow, and the tree grows best when there is little root competition; it also requires [[acidic soil]]s for successful growth. The leaves can be chewed (but should not be swallowed) to help alleviate a dry-feeling mouth. ==Description== {{unreferencedsect|date=May 2025}} [[File:Sourwood raceme Keeler.png|60px|thumb|[[Raceme]] of flowers]] The bark is gray with a reddish tinge, deeply furrowed and scaly. Branchlets at first are light yellow green, but later turn reddish brown. The wood is reddish brown, with paler [[sapwood (wood)|sapwood]]; it is heavy, hard, and close-grained, and will take a high polish. Its specific gravity is 0.7458, with a density of 46.48 lb/cu ft. The winter buds are [[axillary (botany)|axillary]], minute, dark red, and partly immersed in the bark. Inner scales enlarge when spring growth begins. Leaves are [[alternate leaf|alternate]], four to seven inches long, 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide, oblong to [[oblanceolate]], wedge-shaped at the base, serrate, and acute or [[acuminate]]. Leaf veins are [[feather-veined]], the [[midrib]] is conspicuous. They emerge from the bud [[Revolute leaf|revolute]], bronze green and shining, and smooth; when full-grown, they are dark green, shining above, and pale and glaucous below. In autumn, they turn bright scarlet. [[Petiole (botany)|Petioles]] are long and slender, with [[stipule]]s wanting. They are heavily laden with acid. In June and July, cream-white flowers are borne in terminal panicles of secund [[raceme]]s seven to eight inches long; rachis and short pedicels are downy. The [[calyx (botany)|calyx]] is five-parted and persistent; [[Lobe (anatomy)|lobes]] are [[valvate]] in bud. The [[corolla (botany)|corolla]] is ovoid-cylindric, narrowed at the throat, cream-white, and five-toothed. The 10 [[stamen]]s are inserted on the corolla; filaments are wider than the [[anther]]s; anthers are two-celled. The [[pistil]] is ovary superior, ovoid, and five-celled; the style is columnar; the stigma is simple; the disk is ten-toothed, and ovules are many. The fruit is a [[capsule (botany)|capsule]], downy, five-valved, five-angled, and tipped by the persistent style; the [[pedicel (botany)|pedicels]] are curving.<ref name=Keeler>{{cite book | last =Keeler | first =Harriet L. | title =Our Native Trees and How to Identify Them | url =https://archive.org/details/ournativetreesa02keelgoog | publisher =Charles Scribner's Sons | year =1900 | location =New York | pages =[https://archive.org/details/ournativetreesa02keelgoog/page/n221 192]β194 }}</ref> ==Cultivation and uses== The sourwood is hardy in the north and a worthy [[Ornamental plant#Trees|ornamental tree]] in lawns and parks. Its late bloom makes it desirable, and its autumnal coloring is particularly beautiful and brilliant. The leaves are heavily charged with acid, and to some extent have the poise of those of the [[peach]].<ref name=Keeler /> The leaves are also a [[laxative]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.augustaga.gov/1631/Sourwood|title=Sourwood {{!}} Augusta, GA - Official Website|website=www.augustaga.gov|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> Sourwood is renowned for the honey that bees produce from the [[nectar]] of its flowers.<ref>{{cite book|title=Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping|first1=Dewey M. |last1=Caron |first2=Lawrence John|last2=Connor|year=2013|page=151 |publisher=Wicwas Press|isbn=978-1-87-807529-1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees, Eastern Region, North America|year=2003 |page=626 |publisher=[[Alfred A. Knopf]]|isbn=978-0-39-450760-6 }}</ref> Juice from its blooms is used to make sourwood [[Fruit preserves|jelly]]. The shoots were used by the [[Cherokee]] and the [[Catawba (tribe)|Catawba]] to make arrowshafts. ==In Appalachian culture== [[Sourwood Mountain]] is a popular [[Old-time music|old-time]] tune in the Appalachian region of the United States. ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Oxydendron arboreum JPG1.jpg|Trunk and leaves Image:Sourwood in autumn (foliage closeup).JPG|Sourwood in autumn foliage on top of [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mtn.]], NC. (10-30-2008) </gallery> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Oxydendrum arboreum}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114163225/http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/oxar.htm ''Oxydendrum arboreum'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu] * [https://identify.plantnet.org/ro/k-world-flora/species/Oxydendrum%20arboreum%20(L.)%20DC./data ''Oxydendrum arboreum images, locations all over the world at PlantNet.org] {{Taxonbar|from1=Q15940594|from2=Q48677|from3=Q21445917}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Vaccinioideae]] [[Category:Trees of Northern America]] [[Category:Flora of the Appalachian Mountains]] [[Category:Natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains]] [[Category:Medicinal plants of North America]] [[Category:Monotypic Ericaceae genera]]
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