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Quercus geminata
Quercus geminata Small
Sand Live Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Synonym(s): Quercus virginiana var. geminata, Quercus virginiana var. maritima
USDA Symbol: QUGE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Sand live oak is an evergreen rhizomatous shrub or medium tree to 50 feet (15.2 m), occasionally to 95 feet (28.9 m). BARK: dark brown or black with scaly plates. TWIGS and BUDS: light tan to light gray pubescent twigs becoming smooth the second year; dark brown ovoid buds, scale margins may be pubescent. LEAVES: short petiole 1⁄8 - 3⁄8 inch (3 - 10 mm) in length, leaf blade narrowly elliptic, 1 3⁄8 - 2 3⁄8 inches (35 - 60 mm) long 3⁄8 - 11⁄8 inches (10 - 29 mm) wide, cupped beneath, base cuneate, margins entire revolute (wavy); upper surface is shiny, light to dark green with impressed secondary veins, lower surface covered with dense whitish bloom (glaucous) that rubs off.
Sand live oak is utilized as lumber and landscape plantings. The largest sand live oaks (co-champions) are both located in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub , Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Small tree to 50 feet (15.2 m), occasionally to 95 feet (28.9 m).
Fruit: Acorns annual; produced in clusters of 1 - 3 on long peduncles 3⁄8 - 4 inches (10 - 101 mm) in length; cup with whitish or gray scales that are smooth or pubescent, covers 1⁄3 of nut; smooth, dark brown, ovoid or barrel-shaped nut, 5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SCNative Distribution: Louisiana to North Carolina on the coastal plain.
Native Habitat: Deep sandy soils in mixed pine or hardwood stands.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Used for landscape plantings.Use Other: Utilized as lumber.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Bibliography
Bibref 1134 - Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America (2003) Stein, John D. and Denise BinionSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Quercus geminata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus geminata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus geminata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-10-07Research By: DEW