Quercus elliottii Wilbur

Running Oak

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Running Oak is a native deciduous shrub in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It is known from extreme south Alabama. Running Oak occurs in dry sandy pine forests, in scrub oak woods, and rarely near depression ponds. It is a colonial shrub from 1-3 feet in height. The bark is dark gray and rough. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, oblong to obovate in outline, with entire revolute margins. The leaves are thick and leathery, glabrous or pubescent along the midrib on the upper surface, and uniformly gray-brown pubescent below. The leaves turn reddish-brown before falling. Male flowers are in drooping brownish-yellow catkins. The female flowers are sessile. The fruit is a nut. The acorns have a deep, saucer-shaped cup and mature in one year. Running Oak is a part of the fire maintained dry pine woodlands. It rapidly sprouts back after fire and produced acorns when only a few inches tall. Running Oak is available from some nurseries who specialize in native trees and shrubs. It prefers a dry, sandy soil in full sun. It is an interesting addition to any garden and its acorns are good wildlife food. This species was known for many years as Quercus pumila Walter, and may still be listed by that name in some field guides and plant catalogs.--A. Diamond

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Native

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