Sweetleaf or horsesugar is a semi-evergreen large shrub or small tree with thick, leathery, yellow-green leaves that are slightly sweet to the taste.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

Sweetleaf is uncommon in the Mountains and rare in the Piedmont, much more common in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.

Robeson Co., NC 10/4/2009.

The large buds here will produce flowers in mid-April.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

These oddly shaped objects are galls, not fruits! These galls are caused by a fungus, Exobasidium symploci.

McDowell Co., NC 4/16/2011.

More galls.

McDowell Co., NC 4/16/2011.

Bunches of creamy-white flowers with numerous stamens appear in early spring.

Uwharrie National Forest, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Uwharrie National Forest, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Sweetleaf is the caterpillar food plant for the rare King's Hairstreak (Satyrium kingi).

Moore Co., NC 6/6/03.

The flowers are a popular nectar source for butterflies.

Moore Co., NC 4/13/02.

Moore Co., NC 4/20/05.

The cylindrical drupes are yellowish-green when ripe.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Another gall.

Moore Co., NC 4/20/05.

Bark of a mature tree.

Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.