Myrtle oak | |
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Leaves and acorns of myrtle oak | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fagales |
Family: | Fagaceae |
Genus: | Quercus |
Subgenus: | Quercus subg. Quercus |
Section: | Quercus sect. Lobatae |
Species: | Q. myrtifolia
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Binomial name | |
Quercus myrtifolia | |
Synonyms [2] | |
List
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Quercus myrtifolia, the myrtle oak, [3] is a North American species of oak. It is native to the southeastern United States ( Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina). It is often found in coastal areas on sandy soils. [4]
It is an evergreen tree that can reach 12 meters (39 feet) tall, also appearing as a shrub in drier sites. It has leaves with no teeth or lobes, which are hairless on the upperside and also on the underside except along the veins. [5]
This plant was first identified by Carl Ludwig von Willdenow. [6] Some synonyms for Quercus myrtifolia are Quercus nitida, Quercus aquatica var. myrtifolia, Quercus myrtifolia f. ampla, Quercus phellos var. arenaria, and Quercus phellos var. myrtifolia. [7] The common name is the Myrtle Oak [8]
The Myrtle Oak often grows as a shrub, but can also take the form of a tree. In maturity it grows to 15-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. It is considered a red oak. [9] The leaves are simple alternate. [10] They appear dark green with a yellow-green underside. The leaves have a leathery texture, and an obovate shape. [10] There are small hairs on the underside of the leaves. [11] The acorns are about 1/2" long, and mature in 18 months. [12] Small green flowers bloom in April-May. [9] It has a grey smooth stem that furrows in maturity. Twigs can be reddish brown when they are younger. [10] A commonly associated oak of Q. myrtifolia is Quercus geminata. However, the leaf of Q. geminata is a narrow elliptic shape and has a wrinkled appearance. Quercus myrtifolia also grows better in shaded and upper dune environments. [13]
Quercus myrtifolia is present in the southeastern United States. [8] It occurs in sandy soils along coastlines up to 350 ft above sea level. [9] Habitats are dry sandy ridges in scrub oak forests with yellow pines, and dry-site hardwood forests. [14] The most common trees it grows with are Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, Quercus marilandica, Quercus margaretta, Quercus geminata, and Quercus virginiana. [14]
This plant is mostly used in gardening as a backdrop or accent plant. It is very low maintenance and its evergreen leaves provide cover during the winter. [15] It may also have medicinal uses. The bark may be used as an antiseptic and hemostatic. It may even be useful for treating tooth aches, gastropathies, burns, and reduce inflammation. [16] These types of medicinal uses are typical of many oak trees. [17]
Increased levels of CO2 in the environment of Quercus myrtifolia led to a decrease in leaf area. Additionally, this also led to an increase in sugar and starch content. [18] Higher levels of CO2 led to lower occurrence of leaf asymmetry this can better protect leaves from leaf miners. [19] Prescribed burns may be beneficial to the recruitment of Q. myrtifolia seedlings. [20] It is also possible that mature Myrtle Oaks eventually stop producing acorns making fires important for the growth of new trees. [21] Prescribed burns may be beneficial to the recruitment of Q. myrtifolia seedlings. [20] Quercus myrtifolia displays resiliency to prescribed and lightning caused burns on the Florida Lake Wales Ridge. [22] After palmetto scrub fires Q. myrtifolia managed to reach preburn values within 5 years. [23] Seasonal drought can have a large impact on the Q. myrtifolia. A dry spring season is known to greatly decrease its growth rate. [24] Myrtle Oak is also considered to be extremely wind resistant. [25]
A variety of insects feed on the Myrtle Oak including oak skeletonizer, leaf miner, galls, oak lace bugs, borers, and caterpillars. [9] Burrowing beach mice threaten acorns even when protected by cages. [26] Hibiscus mealybugs are also known to host in the tree. [27] Like all oaks, Quercus myrtifolia is susceptible to oak wilt. [9] Seeds with holes in them may be infested with weevils. [28]
The Myrtle Oak can be used as an accent plant in garden settings. Despite this it is rarely available in nurseries. If growing a Myrtle Oak one should plant in full sun and well drained soil. It is very drought resistant. [29] If it is planted outside it should be protected from pests, and buried at a depth equal to the diameter of the acorn. [30]
Myrtle Oak is considered critically imperiled in South Carolina, imperiled in Mississippi, and vulnerable in Georgia. [31]
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