Oxydendrum arboreum (Linnaeus) A.P. de Candolle. Sourwood, Sorrel-tree. Phen: Jun-Jul; Sep-Oct. Hab: Mesic to xeric deciduous forests, especially dry-mesic to xeric oak-hickory and oak-pine forests, and also often in sandhill/pocosin ecotones. Dist: Se. and sw. PA west to IL, south to n. FL and se. and c. LA.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Other Comments: It is an especially characteristic understory tree of upland forests of the Piedmont and lower Mountains. The bark is dark grayish-brown and fairly deeply furrowed; the tree often has a characteristic lean (toward a former canopy light-gap). The finely serrate, elliptic leaves are distinctive, with the sour taste of garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), or wood sorrel (Oxalis).

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, Fl5, FNA8, G, Il, K1, K3, K4, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Luteyn et al (1996)

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 4