Lithocarpus glaber
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KWER-kus GLAW-kuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ring Cup Oak is an evergreen oak from Asia. It can grow as a small tree or large shrub. In cultivation, it generally grows 20-30 feet high. The leaves are sensitive to cold damage. This tree tolerates a wide range of soils including wet clay soils and does best in full sun.
The leaves are attractive and acorns are produced in fall which attracts wildlife. Use as a small shade tree, a street tree, or for privacy and screening.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lithocarpus
- Species:
- glaber
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and southern Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Mildly resistant to damage by deer. Wildlife eats the acorns.
- Edibility:
- Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Acorns are up to 3/4 inch long. The cup has 5-6 concentric rings and covers approximately 1/3 of the nut. They grow singly or in clusters of 2 or 3.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Separate male and female catkins in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4-8 inch long by 2-4 inches wide elliptical to oblong leaves appear bronzy to purplish in the spring. Becomes glossy dark green in summer. Undersides are gray-green to blue-green with hairs. Margins are entire with teeth near the apex. Bases are rounded. Non-showy fall color is yellowish-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is blackish-brown and smooth at first. It becomes furrowed and rough with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are dark olive green, stiff, thick with pale lenticels. Buds are brown with scales.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if young leaves or raw acorns eaten.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves