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Quercus hemisphaerica
Quercus hemisphaerica W. Bartram ex Willd.
Coast Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak, Laurel Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: QUHE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A pyramidal-rounded oak to 120 ft. with Laurel oak is a short-lived, pyramidal-rounded, evergreen, medium to large tree that can grow to heights of 100 feet (30.5 m). BARK: dark brown with deep furrows producing flat ridges. Bark is smooth on branches and young trunks, low-ridged on old trunks. TWIGS and BUDS: smooth, brown to dark red twigs; reddish to purplish-brown ovoid buds, scale margins smooth or ciliated. Leaves shiny, leathery, dark-green, falling about the time new ones appear in spring. Leaves short smooth petiole up to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in length; leaf blade narrow ovate or elliptical, 1 1⁄8 - 4 3⁄4 inches (29 - 121 mm) long, 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄2 inches (10 - 38 mm) wide, leathery, base obtuse or rounded, margin entire or with shallow lobes near apex. Both surfaces are smooth, or rarely with minute axillary tufts or tomentum beneath.
Laurel oak is fast growing and matures in about 50 years. Used for firewood and as an urban shade tree. The largest known laurel oak grows near Wrens, Jefferson County, Georgia.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire , Lobed
Leaf Base: Rounded
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Medium to large tree that can grow to heights of 100 feet (30.5 m).
Fruit: Acorns biennial; sessile; cup has fine pubescence on scales and on inner surface, covering up to 1⁄3 of nut; ovoid to hemispherical nut, dark brown to black, 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. VA to e. TX
Native Habitat: Scrub oak sandhills; dune areas; stream banks.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Not separated from Q. laurifolia by some authorities.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Acorns eaten profusely by wildlife.Use Other: Used for firewood and as an urban shade tree.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACW |
Bibliography
Bibref 1134 - Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America (2003) Stein, John D. and Denise BinionBibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Quercus hemisphaerica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus hemisphaerica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus hemisphaerica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-11-06Research By: TWC Staff