• Photo of Quercus marilandica (Quercus marilandicas)

Plant Profile: Quercus marilandica

Taxonomy: Quercus marilandica

Names

Blackjack Oak, Oaks

  • Photo of Quercus marilandica (Quercus marilandicas)

Phonetic Spelling:KWER-kus mar-i-LAND-ih-ka

Genus:Quercus

Species:marilandica

Family:Fagaceae

The Blackjack Oak is a medium-sized tree or shrub native to the central and eastern regions of the United States, thriving in all parts of North Carolina except for its higher elevations. This species typically grows in fields, along the edges of woodlands, and on dry ridges in less fertile areas. It can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet, characterized by a short trunk, numerous twisted branches, and a rounded crown. Often, it occupies spaces where other trees struggle to survive due to subpar soil conditions.

This oak variety favors well-drained soils that are average to dry and requires full sunlight to flourish. It does not perform well in areas with poor drainage. Consequently, the Blackjack Oak is seldom utilized in landscaping and is most suited for natural or woodland environments.

Quercus marilandica Feature Summary

Quercus marilandica Image Gallery

Tags

#contorted trunk
#deciduous
#full sun tolerant
#drought tolerant
#wildlife plant
#slow growing
#native tree
#moths
#low maintenance
#NC native
#wild turkeys
#acorns
#nighttime garden
#long lifespan
#poor soils tolerant
#larval host plant
#deciduous tree
#mammals
#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 marilandica is often confused with:

Quercus marilandica Feature Summary

Attributes
Wood is used to make charcoal
Central and eastern U.S.A.
AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
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. Game birds and mammals eat the acorns. Birds and mammals use it for nesting.
medium flammability
Fruit
Up to 1 inch long striated, light brown acorn. The cap covers about half of the nut and is covered with loose, hairy scales.
Brown/Copper
Flowers
Yellow-green male catkins. Female flowers short spikes.
Gold/Yellow
Green
Insignificant
Catkin
Leaves
4-8" long by 2½–6" across wedge-shaped green leaves are hairy and brown or orangish underneath. 3 poorly defined bristle tipped lobes near the end of the leaf. Red, yellow or brown fall color.
Green
Brown/Copper
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
> 6 inches
Leathery
3-6 inches
Bark
Dark rough bark in rectangular plates may appear black.
Dark Brown
Black
Stem
Stout, dark brown and hairy stems. Reddish-brown buds are 1/4 inch long, sharp, angled and fuzzy.
Brown/Copper
Poisonous to Humans
Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if uncooked leaves or fruit are eaten.
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin
Leaves
Fruits
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
Occasionally Wet
Occasionally Dry
24-60 feet
12-24 feet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Clay
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Nighttime Garden
Native Garden
Drought
Dry Soil
Poor Soil
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Butterflies
Pollinators
Moths
Small Mammals
Problem for Horses

Quercus marilandica Attributes

Quercus marilandica: Uses (Ethnobotany)

Wood is used to make charcoal

Quercus marilandica: Country Or Region Of Origin

Central and eastern U.S.A.

Quercus marilandica: Distribution

AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV

Quercus marilandica: Wildlife Value

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. Game birds and mammals eat the acorns. Birds and mammals use it for nesting.

Quercus marilandica: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Quercus marilandica: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Quercus marilandica: Fire Risk Rating

extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability

Quercus marilandica Fruit

Quercus marilandica: Fruit Description

Up to 1 inch long striated, light brown acorn. The cap covers about half of the nut and is covered with loose, hairy scales.

Quercus marilandica: Fruit Type

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

Quercus marilandica: Fruit Color

grass
Brown/Copper

Quercus marilandica: Fruit Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Quercus marilandica: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Quercus marilandica: Fruit Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches

Quercus marilandica Flowers

Quercus marilandica: Flower Description

Yellow-green male catkins. Female flowers short spikes.

Quercus marilandica: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Green

Quercus marilandica: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Quercus marilandica: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Quercus marilandica Leaves

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Description

4-8" long by 2½–6" across wedge-shaped green leaves are hairy and brown or orangish underneath. 3 poorly defined bristle tipped lobes near the end of the leaf. Red, yellow or brown fall color.

Quercus marilandica: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Color

spa
Brown/Copper
spa
Green

Quercus marilandica: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color

spa
Brown/Copper
spa
Gold/Yellow
spa
Red/Burgundy

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Type

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

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: Leaf Margin

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

Quercus marilandica: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Length

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

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Feel

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

Quercus marilandica: Leaf Width

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

Quercus marilandica Bark

Quercus marilandica: Bark Description

Dark rough bark in rectangular plates may appear black.

Quercus marilandica: Bark Color

grass
Black
grass
Dark Brown

Quercus marilandica: Surface/Attachment

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

Quercus marilandica: Bark Plate Shape

Diamond
Irregular
Oval
Rectangle
Round
Square

Quercus marilandica Stem

Quercus marilandica: Stem Description

Stout, dark brown and hairy stems. Reddish-brown buds are 1/4 inch long, sharp, angled and fuzzy.

Quercus marilandica: Stem Color

grass
Brown/Copper

Quercus marilandica: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Quercus marilandica: Stem Buds

Hairy
Hairy tips
Scaly
Smooth/Hairless

Quercus marilandica Poisonous to Humans

Quercus marilandica: Poison Symptoms

Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if uncooked leaves or fruit are eaten.

Quercus marilandica: Poison Toxic Principle

Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin

Quercus marilandica: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Quercus marilandica: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Quercus marilandica: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Quercus marilandica Whole Plant Traits

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Quercus marilandica: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Quercus marilandica: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Quercus marilandica Cultural Conditions

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: Soil pH

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

Quercus marilandica: Soil Drainage

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

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Quercus marilandica: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Quercus marilandica: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Quercus marilandica Landscape

Quercus marilandica: 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 marilandica: 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 marilandica: 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 marilandica: Attracts

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

Quercus marilandica: 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