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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Quercus virginiana

Live Oak

Scientific Name:

Quercus virginiana

Genus:

Quercus

Species Epithet:

virginiana

Common Name:

Live Oak

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

36-72 ft., 72-100 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Yellow

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

March, April

Growing Area:

Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Locally common to abundant in maritime forests and maritime scrub on barrierislands, more rarely inland (though regularly on the mainland from se. NC south, and extending substantially inland from s. SC south), sometimes in dry, fire-maintained habitats more usually occupied by Q. geminata, also planted (especially in the outer Coastal Plain). Uncommon in the NC Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

A Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic.

In flower

image

Jack Spruill, April, 2009; Hampstead

Live Oaks were traditionally used by the Navy to make ship ribs and knees.

Leaves and acorns

Note the characteristically dark color of the acorns.

image

Jack Spruill, December 2009, Hampstead

Festooned with Spanish Moss

Chatham County, GA

The Scientific Name is Quercus virginiana. You will likely hear them called Live Oak. This picture shows the Festooned with Spanish Moss of Quercus virginiana

Bettina Darveaux

Wide spreading limbs draped in Spanish Moss

Chatham County, GA

The Scientific Name is Quercus virginiana. You will likely hear them called Live Oak. This picture shows the Wide spreading limbs draped in Spanish Moss of Quercus virginiana

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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