Quercus inopina
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KWER-kus in-oh-PY-nah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Sandhill oak is an evergreen colony-forming small tree or large shrub in the oak family (Fabaceae) native to Florida. It can be found on sandhill ridges, scrub communities, and flat upland terraces.
While it can reach a height of 16 feet tall it is more often found in a shrub form reaching a height of about 5 feet. It is tolerant of salty wind and some spray but not of inundation by salty or brackish water. Grow in very well-drained sandy or loamy soils in full to partial sun. Propagation is by seed.
Sandhill oak leaves are shiny, leathery with the edges cupping downward in a distinctive way. Acorns mature the second year.
It is rare in cultivation but could be used as a hedge or barrier due to its colony-forming nature.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See common pests of oaks to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and insects.
- 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:
- Quercus
- Species:
- inopina
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host plant for Horace's dusky wing (Erynnis horactius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) butterflies. The acorns are utilized by squirrels.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Acorns, 5/8" long brown cap that covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the elliptical nut, base starts out green matures to dark brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant green blooms appear in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery green leaves are simple, alternate with smooth margins and 3 1/2 inches long 1 3/4 inches wide. They point generally upward and the edges curl under on the long side. There may be sparse hairs on the petiole and midrib and powdery yellow fuzz on the underside.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Fissured light grey bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Purple-brown stems with sparse hairs. Terminal buds dark purplish brown
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Salt
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain, constipation then diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression, frequent urination, discolored urine, jaundice; acorns can obstruct the digestive tract
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
