Mock Orange

We have seen this oddly-named shrub blooming all around Washington County in the past three weeks. Its ultra-white blossoms seem to jump out at you, especially on a clear day with a solid blue sky background. The Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) is another native plant to bear the name of Meriwether Lewis; they noted discovery of it in May of 1806.

The plant grows very tall (up to 8 feet) and has very straight branches that were used by Native Americans for bows, arrows, and combs; the leaves were ground into a soap like goo for washing skin. Mock Orange blooms from March through July, depending on climate and elevation. It is a member of the Hydrangea family. 6/14/2013.

I could not find any official reference to the common name origin, but the blossoms loosely resembles Orange tree blossoms (see photo below). I did find a bicycle and a band called Mock Orange...

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Jackson Bottom Wetlands

 

This photo courtesy of:

 

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/GNUfreeDOClicense.html