Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus virginiana Miller
Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) leaves

Live Oak is a common medium to large-sized evergreen oak of the outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina.

Currituck Co., NC 11/8/08.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) acorn

Acorn.

Currituck Co., NC 11/8/08.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) acorn

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Carteret Co., NC 4/14/07.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Leaves of Live Oak may be slightly revolute. The similar Sand Live Oak (Quercus geminata) differs in that the leaves are more strongly revolute (boat-shaped) and the leaf veins are deeply impressed. Sand Live Oak is generally found in xeric sandhills near the coast and flowers a few weeks later than Live Oak.

Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC 10/29/05.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Bark detail.

Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC 10/29/05.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) bark

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) trunks

Typical multi-trunked growth form.

Currituck Co., NC 11/8/08.

More information:
Floridata
NC State
USFS Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.