SAND LIVE OAK or TWIN LIVE OAK

Quercus geminata Small

(KWER-kus jem-i-NA-ta)

General:

This small, evergreen tree lives in deep sandy areas. Sand Live Oak is easy to recognize because the leaves are strongly revolute, canoe shaped and the surface has deeply depressed veins. It may be confused with Quercus virginiana, which is the much larger of the two when they are mature. Some botanists believe that Q. geminata is a variety of Q. virginiana.
The species name, geminata (meaning “twin”) refers to the acorns that usually develop in pairs.

Acorns have provided food for Native Americans and many types of wildlife. The nuts are boiled repeatedly in clear water until the tannin is removed. Then they are dried and pounded into flour. Some species have a more bitter taste than others.

Flowers / Fruit:

Male flowers are catkins that appear in the early spring along with the new foliage. These are followed by the formation of acorns that are 1-2 cm (½-¾ in.) long, covered by a top-shaped cap.

SAND LIVE OAK or TWIN LIVE OAK (Quercus geminata)

Leaves / Stems:

The alternate, simple leaves are 3-12 cm (1-6 in) long. They are stiff and rugose (coarsely netted with veins). The margins (edges) are strongly revolute (rolled under) making the upside down leaf appear boat-shaped. Dark green and leathery above, the evergreen leaves are densely pubescent (covered with short, soft hairs) below.

The thick, dark gray bark has furrows and resists fire.

Distribution:

Found on deep sands throughout the state southward to Dade and Collier counties. It ranges along the coastal plain to Mississippi and North Carolina.