Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2882708

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

Also known as Sorrel Tree, Lily-of-the-Valley Tree

Sourwood trees light up Appalachian understories with drooping sprays of fragrant, urn-shaped white flowers in midsummer. By autumn, their long pointed foliage transforms into brilliant shades of scarlet, crimson, and deep purple that contrast strikingly against persistent pale seed pods. Honeybees rely heavily on these late-season blossoms to produce a light, highly prized mono-floral nectar.

DeciduousFloweringFall Color
Sourwood reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Emily Summerbell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emily Summerbell · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Insect Larvae
  • Wood-boring Beetles
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, severe drought, climate change
HabitatsOak-heath forests, rocky slopes, acid woodlands
Life span70 to 100+ years
Classification
  1. FamilyEricaceae
  2. SpeciesOxydendrum arboreum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Fall Foliage: Look for brilliant crimson and purplish leaves along woodland edges in early autumn.
  • Flower Identification: Look for drooping clusters of tiny white, urn-shaped flowers opening in mid-to-late summer.
  • Bark Pattern: Inspect mature trunks for deeply furrowed, grayish-brown bark with thick blocky ridges.
Related species
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