I tried to give some hints for last week’s puzzler and some people knew that the mystery leaves were from Sourwood Trees, also called sorrel tree, sorrel gum, sour gum, arrow wood, elk tree, and lily-of-the-valley tree. Its latin name, Oxydendrum arboreum, basically translates to “acid” from Oxy and dendrum, “tree” and refers to the sour taste of its leaves. Have you ever nibbled on them? Folklore says the leaves can be used to make a tea that is a thirst quencher for hikers. I have not tried this. Have you?
According to the University of Kentucky, Sourwood is native to the “coast of Virginia to North Carolina and in southwestern Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, Indiana, western Kentucky, Tennessee, the Appalachians to western Florida and the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana.” It is one of our few trees that is not found naturally on any other continent.
The Sourwood tree is blooming right now in western North Carolina. The flowers are white and look a bit like Lily of the Valley, hence, one of its common names. If you drive on the Parkway you can see the dense flowers of these plentiful trees right beside the road.
Have you heard of Sourwood honey? It is highly prized and a special treat. Next time you see the flowers, look for all of the bees gathered on them.
Sourwood Trees can live up to 200 years! Maybe some of the Sourwood saplings I have growing in the clearings close to our house I will leave alone and allow them to call that spot home. Imagine! 200 years from now those trees could still be there. What changes will come between now and then?
There’s no puzzler for this week as I’m taking a short break. I will be back again soon. Until then, happy days to you! Don’t forget to make time to get outside and enjoy all of the gifts Mother Nature has to offer.
Nice post Hon. I had no idea they lived so long
Thanks, me neither.