Sand live oak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand live oak |
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| Acorns and leaves of a sand live oak in Florida | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Quercus
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| Species: |
geminata
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| Synonyms | |
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The Sand live oak (scientific name: Quercus geminata) is a type of oak tree. It is an evergreen tree, which means it keeps its leaves all year long. You can find this tree growing in the warm, coastal areas of the southeastern United States. It lives along the Atlantic Coast, from southern Florida up to southeastern Virginia. It also grows along the Gulf Coast, stretching west to southern Mississippi. These trees often grow on sandy dunes and in areas with white sand.
Contents
What Does a Sand Live Oak Look Like?
The Sand live oak is usually a small to medium-sized tree. It often grows in groups, forming thick bushes or small forests.
Bark and Leaves
- Its bark is dark and thick. It has deep grooves and rough ridges.
- The leaves are thick and feel like leather. They have strong veins and their edges are curled under, making them look a bit like tiny upside-down bowls.
- The top of the leaves is dark green. The bottom is a dull gray and covered in very tiny, soft hairs.
- The leaf stems, called petioles, are also very hairy.
- Each leaf is simple and usually flat. They are about 0.75 to 4.5 inches (2 to 12 cm) long and 0.2 to 1.5 inches (0.5 to 4 cm) wide.
Flowers and Acorns
- The male flowers of the Sand live oak hang down in green clusters called catkins.
- The acorns are small, about 0.5 to 1 inch (1 to 2.5 cm) long. They are shaped like an oval or egg.
- Often, the acorns grow in pairs on stalks called peduncles, which can be different lengths.
Where Does it Grow?
In coastal Florida, the Sand live oak is very common. It grows in a type of habitat called evergreen oak scrub. This is a special kind of bushy area.
Home for the Florida Scrub-Jay
The threatened Florida scrub-jay is a special bird that lives only in the Florida scrub. These birds depend on the Sand live oak and other plants in this unique habitat.
Hybrid Trees
Sometimes, you might see oak trees that look like a mix of the Sand live oak and the southern live oak. These trees grow further inland, away from the coast. Scientists believe these mixed trees are hybrids, meaning they are a combination of the two different oak species. Even though they can mix, the Sand live oak and the southern live oak are still considered separate species.
See also
In Spanish: Quercus geminata para niños 
