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Quercus acerifolia

Quercus acerifolia (Palmer) Stoynoff & Hess

Mapleleaf Oak, Maple-leaf Oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Synonym(s): Quercus shumardii var. acerifolia

USDA Symbol: QUAC2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small to medium tree, which grows to 50 feet (15.2 m). Bark dark gray to black with shallow furrows. Twigs and buds gray to grayishbrown, twigs may have slight pubescence; elliptical terminal buds with coloration similar to twigs. Leaves smooth petiole 3/4 - 1 3/4 inches (19 - 44 mm) in length; leaf blade broadly elliptical, 4 - 6 inches (101 - 152 mm) long, 2 3/4 - 5 1/2 inches (70 - 140 mm) wide, 5 - 7 lobes with acute bristled tips, base truncated to obtuse, apex acute; smooth and green above, paler green with axillary tomentum beneath, secondary veins prominent on both surfaces.

The Latin and common names are derived from resemblance of its foliage to that of a maple. Although maple-leaf oak is found in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, there is an unconfirmed report of its occurrence on Rich Mountain, Le Flore County, Oklahoma. Maple-leaf oak is listed as Threatened by the state of Arkansas and is listed as endangered by IUCN.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 50 feet tall.
Fruit: Acorns biennial; light brown saucershaped cup with pubescent scales, chestnut-brown inner surfaces with pubescent ring around nut scar, covers 1/4 - 1/3 of the nut; oblong nut with slight pubescence, 3/4 inch (19 mm) long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Red , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AR
Native Distribution: Endemic to four counties (Logan, Montgomery, Polk, and Sebastian) in Arkansas.
Native Habitat: Limited occurrence on slopes and ridges of mountains.

Bibliography

Bibref 1134 - Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America (2003) Stein, John D. and Denise Binion

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Quercus acerifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Quercus acerifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus acerifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2013-07-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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