sourwood

sour·wood

S0581400 (sour′wo͝od′)n. A small deciduous tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) in the heath family that is native to the eastern United States and has drooping panicles of small white urn-shaped flowers. Also called sorrel tree.

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[So called from its sour-tasting leaves.]

sourwood

(ˈsaʊəˌwʊd) n (Plants) another name for sorrel tree

sor′rel tree`

n. a North American tree, Oxydendrum arboreum, of the heath family, having leaves with an acid flavor and drooping clusters of white flowers. Also called sourwood. [1680–90, Amer.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sourwood - deciduous shrubby tree of eastern North America having deeply fissured bark and sprays of small fragrant white flowers and sour-tasting leavesOxydendrum arboreum, sorrel tree, titigenus Oxydendrum, Oxydendrum - sourwoodangiospermous tree, flowering tree - any tree having seeds and ovules contained in the ovary