plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Quercus stellata [= Quercus villosa]

Post Oak, Iron Oak

Scientific Name:

Quercus stellata [= Quercus villosa]

Genus:

Quercus

Species Epithet:

stellata

Common Name:

Post Oak, Iron Oak

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

36-72 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Red, Yellow, Green, Brown

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

April

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Upland forests and woodlands, especially in clay or rocky soils and in communities at least formerly exposed to fire. Essentially common throughout the state, but as with many oaks it is scarce to locally absent in the far eastern counties near Albemarle Sound. A few counties in the northern mountains appear to lack records, though it likely is present at the lowest elevations in such counties, near the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Highest Wildlife Value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Leaves are thick, shiny dark green above, and tomentose below

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Quercus stellata [= Quercus villosa]. You will likely hear them called Post Oak, Iron Oak. This picture shows the Leaves are thick, shiny dark green above, and tomentose below of Quercus stellata [= Quercus villosa]

Bettina Darveaux

Distinctive "cross-shaped" leaf

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Quercus stellata [= Quercus villosa]. You will likely hear them called Post Oak, Iron Oak. This picture shows the Distinctive

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial q Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums