The Dwarf Live Oak is a slowly deciduous shrub indigenous to the pine forests and coastal sandhills of the southeastern United States. It propagates through rhizomes and seeds, often establishing dense colonies in its natural environment. Typically reaching a height of around 3 feet, it has a broader spread and produces acorns similar to those of larger oak trees. This shrub serves as a valuable source of food and shelter for various wildlife.
Preferring sunny spots with well-drained sandy soil, the Dwarf Live Oak is drought-resistant but does not tolerate salt. Although it is seldom incorporated into residential landscaping, it has potential as a groundcover in natural settings and is frequently employed in habitat restoration projects.
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. Birds and small mammals use the nuts from this tree as a food source.
Leaves are alternate, 3-5 inches long, and toothless or with irregular teeth or lobes. Lobes, when present, are usually spine-tipped. Base cuneate, apex acute to rounded. Leaves persist through winter then drop off prior to new leaves forming. Undersides light green and glaucous.
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. Birds and small mammals use the nuts from this tree as a food source.
Quercus minima: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
Particularly resistant to drought and fire in the landscape.
Quercus minima: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Quercus minima: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Quercus minima: 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 minima: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Quercus minima Fruit
Quercus minima: Fruit Description
Pale brown acorn about 2/3" long. Cup has gray scales and covers 1/2 of the nut.
Quercus minima: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Quercus minima: Fruit Color
grass
Brown/Copper
Quercus minima: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Quercus minima: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Quercus minima: Fruit Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Quercus minima Flowers
Quercus minima: Flower Description
Male catkins are yellow-green.
Quercus minima: Flower Color
filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Green
Quercus minima: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Quercus minima Leaves
Quercus minima: Leaf Description
Leaves are alternate, 3-5 inches long, and toothless or with irregular teeth or lobes. Lobes, when present, are usually spine-tipped. Base cuneate, apex acute to rounded. Leaves persist through winter then drop off prior to new leaves forming. Undersides light green and glaucous.
Quercus minima: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Quercus minima: Leaf Color
spa
Green
Quercus minima: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Quercus minima: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Quercus minima: 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 minima: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Quercus minima: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Quercus minima: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Quercus minima: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Quercus minima Bark
Quercus minima: Bark Description
Smooth, brown to light gray
Quercus minima: Bark Color
grass
Light Brown
grass
Light Gray
Quercus minima Stem
Quercus minima: Stem Description
Light gray, smooth twigs in the second year. Small roundish bud, dark brown to grayish-brown scales.
Quercus minima: Stem Color
grass
Gray/Silver
Quercus minima: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Quercus minima: Stem Surface
Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)
Quercus minima Poisonous to Humans
Quercus minima: Poison Symptoms
Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination if uncooked leaves or fruit are eaten.
Quercus minima: Poison Toxic Principle
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin
Quercus minima: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Quercus minima: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Quercus minima: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Quercus minima Whole Plant Traits
Quercus minima: 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 minima: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Quercus minima Cultural Conditions
Quercus minima: 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)