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Quercus virginiana
Live oak
Florida native
Live oaks are the only oak trees found throughout Florida, including the keys. They range through all the southeastern coastal states from Texas to Virginia.
Growing to 20m (66 ft.) tall, Quercus virginiana has a short, stout central truck typically dividing into several large branches 2-3m (6-1/2 to 10 ft.) above the ground. The leaves are alternate, simple and entire, 2-15cm (3/4 - 6 in.) long and 1-5cm (4/10 - 2 in.) wide. Stiff and leathery, they are dark shiny green above with pale gray, slightly tomentose undersides. The acorn is a shiny dark brown darkening towards the tip with a shallow cap that encloses about a quarter of the 1-2.5cm (4/10 - 1 in.)long nut.
For a little history on one of Florida's better known live oak trees, see The Fairchild Oak at Wild Florida Photo
Quercus virginiana is a member of the Fagaceae - Beech family.
Other species of the Quercus genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Quercus geminata - SAND LIVE OAK
Quercus inopina - SCRUB OAK
Quercus laevis - TURKEY OAK
Quercus michauxii - BASKET OAK
Quercus minima - DWARF LIVE OAK
Quercus myrtifolia - MYRTLE OAK
Quercus nigra - WATER OAK
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Sep 24, 2020
