Clethra arborea, commonly known as the lily-of-the-valley-tree, is a flowering plant in the genus Clethra. It is found in Macaronesia where it is native to Madeira, extinct in the Canary Islands, and considered an introduced species in the Azores.
Sourwood typically develops into a broadly conical tree with branches that droop toward their tips, giving it a graceful appearance. Leaves are alternate, simple, oblong to lance-shaped and 3 to 8 inches long. Leaf tips taper to a point and leaf margins are minutely toothed. Summer leaves are glossy green.
It does well with the protection of other tall shrubs and trees and does not tolerate drought or urban pollution. A very ornamental plant, it will flower in 4 to 5 years after planting from seed.
The name Sourwood is derived from the acrid taste of its leaves, but tea made from these leaves is widely used by mountain climbers as a thirst-quencher. ... But the best known by-product of the Sourwood tree is the hard-to-find and extremely delicious honey that bees produce from the fragrant blossoms.. . . . .364011235612!]0000000000000009783314145699!]
