This shrub is found is found in cool forests with sugar maple, beech and birch. The buds of hobblebush are large and lack protective bud scales so they look like praying hands. The buds open as the leaves expand, and some contain a cluster of flower buds in the center as you see here. You can learn more about this plant at the NY Plant Atlas. http://newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=726 This shrub is one of the favorite nesting spots for black-throated blue warblers. Photo by J. Lundgren, NYSNHP