Photo by: By Vojt?ch Zavadil - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nomenclature

Common Name:

chinquapin oak

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Quercus muehlenbergii

Family:

Fagaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

40-60 (70) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree.

Considerations:

Fallen/falling acorns can be a maintenance issue.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Calcareous but adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Mammals

Larval host for the white-M hairstreak ( Parrhasius m-album ).



  • Acorns appreciated by squirrels, deer, turkey and other wildlife


  • Used by birds for resting and nesting


  • Larval host for gray hairstreak butterfly


Native Habitats:

Mesic calcareous hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Acorns (nuts) are said to be edible after tannins are leached or boiled out. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center gives a recipe

General Comments:

The range of this species barely makes it into north Florida but extends north to southern Canada.