|
Characteristics
 Family-
Fagaceae--The Beech Family
- Origin
-
Native NC
- Plant Description
-
Evergreen tree
- Coastal Ecology
-
Quercus geminata is the Sand live oak. Quercus geminata is a tree or shrub of variable shape and size depending on its habitat. On the frontal dunes where sheared by direct salt spray and wind, it forms a short, shrub-like, dense, impenetrable thicket of growth, often forming a large clone from root sprouts. Farther inland it can become a small tree growing to about 20 feet in height. There is difficulty separating this species from Quercus virginiana, and some feel that it represents only an environmentally induced variant of live oak. The Sand live oak closely resembles the Live oak, but note that its leaves are distinctly boat shaped and cupped under, with margins inrolled. The upper surface shows strong impressions at the veins, and the lower surface is distinctly whitish. Note the somewhat elongate acorns borne on a long stalk. Sand live oak is only seen in North Carolina from Bogue Banks southward.
|
|
