Quercus lyrata Walter

Overcup Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Overcup Oak is a native deciduous tree in the Beech family. It can be found throughout Alabama. Overcup Oak occurs in bottomland hardwood forests, in swamps, and along rivers and larger streams. It is a large tree reaching 60-80 feet in height. The bark is light gray in color and forms long plates. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, obovate to oblong in outline, with 3-5 lobes per side. Lobes are sometimes sharply pointed but not bristle tipped. The lateral lobes below the terminal lobe are usually the largest. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green and glabrous or sparsely pubescent. The lower surface of the leaf is pale and pubescent. Leaves turn yellow-brown before falling in the autumn. Male flowers are produced in drooping catkins. Female flowers are solitary or paired on short stalks. The fruit is an acorn. The cup is bur-like and almost completely covers the acorn. Acorns mature in one year. Overcup is sometimes available from nurseries that sell plants for wildlife plantings. Overcup oak grows best in moist to wet clay soil in full to partial sun. It tolerates short periods of flooding.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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