Virginia Tech Dendrology

oceanspray Rosaceae Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. symbol: HODI
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous; 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches long, ovate, and either coarsely toothed or lobed and serrate; entire near the base, prominently penniveined, green above and paler below.
Flower: Perfect, very small creamy white flowers borne in very large, loose, hanging clusters, appearing in mid-summer.
Fruit: Tiny, light brown, 1-seeded follicles borne in large clusters; fruit clusters persist through the winter and into the next growing season.
Twig: Slender; slightly ridged when young but becoming round with time; pith is large, white, and spongy. Basal spouts are very straight and were historically used for arrow shafts.
Bark: Smooth and gray-brown.
Form: An erect, loosely branched shrub growing to 15 feet tall. Typically has multiple, straight stems arising from the base.
Looks like: bush oceanspray - hawthorn

Additional Range Information: Holodiscus discolor is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information