Leaves are alternate and ovate to lanceolate in shape with slightly toothed margins. Flower are perfect, showy, and borne in terminal panicles.
Fruit is a capsule.
Flowers are white and open in July or August. Fruit is gray and matures in September or October. Fall foliage color is scarlet. It is found only in the southeastern portion of the state, from Fairfield County southward. Sourwood is usually found along ridge tops and upper slopes capped with sandstone, although it thrives on more favored soil sites as well.