Quercus arkansana Sarg.

Arkansas Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Arkansas Oak is a native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It occurs in central and southern Alabama. Arkansas Oak grows in sandhills and around the upper slopes of ravines and steepheads. It is a small tree reaching heights of 20-45 feet. The bark is dark gray to black smooth when young, and with rough ridges and furrows when older. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, obovate in outline, sometimes shallowly three lobed at the apex, with entire margins. The leaves sometimes resemble those of Black Jack Oak (Quercus marilandica Muenchhausen), but are thinner in texture. The leaves are glabrous or pubescent below with conspicuous axillary tufts of tawny hairs. The leaves are glabrous above. The leaves turn yellowish-brown before leaf fall. The male flowers are produced in drooping yellowish green catkins. The female flowers are solitary or paired on a short spike. The fruit is a nut. The saucer-shaped cap covers approximately ¼ of the nut, and it is similar in size and shape to that of the Water Oak (Quercus nigra Linnaeus). Nuts take two years to mature. Arkansas Oak is listed as a S3 species in Alabama (typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state.), and globally as a G3 species (Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Arkansas Oak is sometimes available from nurseries that specialize in rare or uncommon native species. It prefers a well-drained sandy soil in full sun.--A. Diamond

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Native S3 (State Rank) G3 (Global Rank)

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