Quercus virginiana
Live Oak
- Family: Fagaceae
- Form: Massive, old trees become huge to 80 ft. and are known as "granddaddy oaks". Trunk is stout and short in proportion to overall height. Large, thick branches make tree broader than tall. Branches extend upward into a broad crown. Evergreen
- Leaves: Alternate, dark shiny green above, paler green finely tomentose on lower surface, oblanceolate, simple, entire, stiff and leathery
- Stem/Bark: Deep gray, darker gray as tree ages. Surface, deeply grooved
- Flower: Not ornamental. Male catkins several inches long, drooping greenish yellow clusters bearing tiny crowded flowers. Appear in spring as old leaves fall and are replaced with new leaves
- Fruit: One inch acorns are abundant, frequently in clusters of 2-5. Cup encloses about one-third of acorn
- Comments: One of 7 oak species native to Florida, Quercus virginiana is distinguished by not having lobed leaves and by its fissured bark
