• Photo of Quercus geminata (Quercus geminatas)

Plant Profile: Quercus geminata

Taxonomy: Quercus geminata

Names

Oaks, Sandhills Live Oak, Sand Live Oak

  • Photo of Quercus geminata (Quercus geminatas)

Phonetic Spelling:KWER-kus jem-in-AY-tuh

Genus:Quercus

Species:geminata

Family:Fagaceae

The Sand Live Oak is a small, native evergreen tree that can also take the form of a shrub. It thrives in the coastal plains of southeastern North America, often found in sandy soils of coastal dunes, hardwood forests, mixed pine uplands, scrub areas, and sandhills. This tree prefers environments ranging from partial shade to full sunlight and typically grows to heights of around 50 feet, although it can exceed this height. It is resilient to both salt and drought conditions but does not fare well in flooded areas with salty or brackish water.

This tree serves well as a specimen or accent piece in landscaping. Additionally, it has the ability to form colonies, which can aid in stabilizing banks or slopes.

Remarkably, after a fire, the Sand Live Oak can regenerate fully, as approximately 80% of its biomass is located underground.

Quercus geminata Feature Summary

Quercus geminata Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#small tree
#small spaces
#drought tolerant
#shrub
#wildlife plant
#moths
#salt tolerant
#erosion control
#food source
#NC native
#acorns
#nighttime garden
#Braham Arboretum
#larval host plant
#sandy soils tolerant
#butterfly friendly
#moth larvae
#pollinator garden
#problem for horses
#banded hairstreak butterfly
#gray hairstreak butterfly
#imperial moth
#juvenal’s duskywing butterfly
#edward’s hairstreak butterfly
#white-m hairstreak butterfly
#horace’s duskywing butterfly

Similar Plants

Quercus geminata is often confused with:

Quercus geminata Feature Summary

Attributes
Used for lumber.
AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC. Found from the coastal plains of Louisiana to NC, and south through Florida.
Acorns are an important food source for mammals. Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida.
Perennial
Woody
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Nesting
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Larval Host
Fruit
1 inch long acorns are dark brown and egg-shaped with 1/3 of the nut enclosed in a scaly, light grey cup. Appear in groups of 1 to 3 annually in the fall.
Brown/Copper
< 1 inch
Flowers
Separate male and female flowers.
Insignificant
Catkin
Leaves
The thick, leathery leaves range from 1½ to 2½ inches long. They have coarse veins that are deeply pressed into the leaf surface and smooth margins that are inwardly curling. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and the underside is a dull grey to almost whitish color with sparse to copious pubescence or hairs.
Elliptical
1-3 inches
Leathery
Fleshy
< 1 inch
Bark
The bark is rough to the touch, dark brown, and deeply furrowed.
Dark Brown
Black
Stem
Light tan to light gray pubescent twigs becoming smooth the second year.
Gray/Silver
Cream/Tan
Hairy (pubescent)
Poisonous to Humans
Abdominal pain, constipation then diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression, frequent urination, discolored urine, jaundice; acorns can obstruct the digestive tract
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.
Leaves
Fruits
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Rounded
Open
Irregular
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Occasionally Wet
Occasionally Dry
Very Dry
Coastal
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
10a
10b
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Nighttime Garden
Native Garden
Accent
Small groups
Specimen
Lawn
Naturalized Area
Slope/Bank
Coastal
Butterflies
Pollinators
Moths
Problem for Horses

Quercus geminata Attributes

Quercus geminata: Uses (Ethnobotany)

Used for lumber.

Quercus geminata: Country Or Region Of Origin

Southeast US

Quercus geminata: Distribution

AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC. Found from the coastal plains of Louisiana to NC, and south through Florida.

Quercus geminata: Wildlife Value

Acorns are an important food source for mammals. Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida.

Quercus geminata: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Quercus geminata: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Quercus geminata: Play Value

Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer

Quercus geminata Fruit

Quercus geminata: Fruit Description

1 inch long acorns are dark brown and egg-shaped with 1/3 of the nut enclosed in a scaly, light grey cup. Appear in groups of 1 to 3 annually in the fall.

Quercus geminata: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Quercus geminata: Fruit Color

grass
Brown/Copper

Quercus geminata: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Quercus geminata: Fruit Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Quercus geminata: Fruit Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Quercus geminata Flowers

Quercus geminata: Flower Description

Separate male and female flowers.

Quercus geminata: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Quercus geminata: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Quercus geminata Leaves

Quercus geminata: Leaf Description

The thick, leathery leaves range from 1½ to 2½ inches long. They have coarse veins that are deeply pressed into the leaf surface and smooth margins that are inwardly curling. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and the underside is a dull grey to almost whitish color with sparse to copious pubescence or hairs.

Quercus geminata: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Quercus geminata: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Quercus geminata: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Quercus geminata: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Quercus geminata: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Quercus geminata: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Quercus geminata: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Quercus geminata: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Quercus geminata: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Quercus geminata: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Quercus geminata Bark

Quercus geminata: Bark Description

The bark is rough to the touch, dark brown, and deeply furrowed.

Quercus geminata: Bark Color

grass
Black
grass
Dark Brown

Quercus geminata: Surface/Attachment

Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy

Quercus geminata Stem

Quercus geminata: Stem Description

Light tan to light gray pubescent twigs becoming smooth the second year.

Quercus geminata: Stem Color

grass
Cream/Tan
grass
Gray/Silver

Quercus geminata: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Quercus geminata: Stem Surface

Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)

Quercus geminata Poisonous to Humans

Quercus geminata: Poison Symptoms

Abdominal pain, constipation then diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression, frequent urination, discolored urine, jaundice; acorns can obstruct the digestive tract

Quercus geminata: Poison Toxic Principle

Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin.

Quercus geminata: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Quercus geminata: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Quercus geminata: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Quercus geminata Whole Plant Traits

Quercus geminata: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Quercus geminata: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Quercus geminata: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Quercus geminata: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Quercus geminata: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Quercus geminata: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Quercus geminata Cultural Conditions

Quercus geminata: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Quercus geminata: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Quercus geminata: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Quercus geminata: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Quercus geminata: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Quercus geminata: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Quercus geminata: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Quercus geminata Landscape

Quercus geminata: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Quercus geminata: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Quercus geminata: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Quercus geminata: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Quercus geminata: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Quercus geminata: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy