Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sand live oak

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Quercus geminata

Family:

Fagaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

Height is largely a function of fire frequency, 20-30 ft tall if not burned.  Crown width about half the height.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Evergreen. Inconspicuous flowers in early spring. Acorns mature in autumn of same year.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree, shade tree. Thicket in dry sandy areas.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed, but readily available as a containerized sapling.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Short very dry periods ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host plant for oak hairstreak ( Fixsenia favonius ), Horace's duskywing ( Erynnis horatius ), red-banded hairstreak ( Calycopis cecrops ) and white-M hairstreak ( Parrhasius m-album ) butterflies.





possible larval host for Juvenal's duskywing ( Erynnis juvenalis ).

Valued by the Florida scrub-jay for its acorns which are relatively low in tanins and often used as a nesting tree.





Acorns used by woodpeckers and wild turkey





Valued by squirrels and other mammals including white tailed deer





Acorns are low in tannins making them a preferred nut by birds and other wildlife.

Native Habitats:

Scrub, sandhill, scrubby flatwoods, flatwoods, coastal hammocks. Increases in flatwoods under winter burn management.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Slower growing and generally smaller than live oak. Extremely drought tolerant.



In environments where there is fire, this is often a small clonal shrub or cluster of small trees.