Not what I expected!

This is a shrub or bush that grows 6–8' tall and is one of two species in its genus that is native to the U.S. I was suspicious of Hydrangea because of the flower “head” or bloom, but the inflorescences are more inverted-cone shaped than spherical and this leaf shape didn’t seem “right,” either.

Turns out, however, that this *is* a Hydrangea: “Hydrangea quercifolia,” or “Oakleaf Hydrangea.”

Hydrangea FAQs at the National Arboretum, http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/hydrangeafaq2.html

This image at PhytoImages: http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Hydrangeaceae_Hydrangea_quercifolia_85726.html

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Hydrangea_quercifolia&rank=binomial

Photo taken on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

1 year ago (“Spring fishfly”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-05-30
2 years ago (“Chester”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-05-30
3 years ago (“Memorial Day”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-05-30

[DSCN2245 :: P&S ]

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Oakleaf is the perfect name for it! Is is in the nursery at school or at your home? I hope to see the bloom that comes out! Hey! Btw, I got a kayak for my birthday and have been "paddling" up and around our creek. It made me think of you and your rowing. Not even close to "rowing" like you do, but still...

[Rick Schies]

The bloom sounds interesting so we will be waiting to see the show

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta Here's an "Inflorescence": http://phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/paraman1/r/Hydrangeaceae_Hydrangea_quercifolia_85746.html. I think you can see the "conical" nature of the flower "head"...

[MaryBeth Dailey]

@rhoing Very pretty!