[3][4] Sourwood is a small tree or large shrub, growing to 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall with a trunk up to 50 cm (20 in) diameter.

Occasionally on extremely productive sites, this species can reach heights in excess of 30 meters and 60 cm diameter.

The wood is reddish brown, with paler sapwood; it is heavy, hard, and close-grained, and will take a high polish.

In June and July, cream-white flowers are borne in terminal panicles of secund racemes seven to eight inches long; rachis and short pedicels are downy.

The pistil is ovary superior, ovoid, and five-celled; the style is columnar; the stigma is simple; the disk is ten-toothed, and ovules are many.

The fruit is a capsule, downy, five-valved, five-angled, and tipped by the persistent style; the pedicels are curving.

Sourwood Mountain is a popular old-time tune in the Appalachian region of the United States.