FNPS Plant Database

Quercus geminata

sand live oak
  • 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:

Fruit Color:

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

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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

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

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.

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Sand live oak [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Quergemi ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Minno, Marc, and Maria Minno. (1999). Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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