Quercus ilicifolia

{{Short description|Species of oak tree}} {{Speciesbox |image = Quercus ilicifolia tree.jpg |image_caption = Scrub oak in Nottingham, Pennsylvania, in June 2011 |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name="iucn status November 12, 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Wenzell, K. |author2=Kenny, L. |author3=Jerome, D. |date=2017 |title=''Quercus ilicifolia'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T194173A111335600 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T194173A111335600.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> |genus = Quercus |display_parents = 2 |parent = Quercus sect. Lobatae |species = ilicifolia |authority = Wangenh. 1787 not Salisb. 1864 nor Koord. & Valeton ex Seemen 1900 |range_map = Quercus ilicifolia range map 1.png |range_map_caption = The geographic presence of ''Quercus ilicifolia'' in the Northeastern United States (highlighted in green) |synonyms_ref = <ref>{{ThePlantList |id=kew-173293 |taxon=Quercus ilicifolia}}</ref> |synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true |''Quercus banisteri'' Michx. |''Quercus discolor'' var. ''banisteri'' (Michx.) Spach |''Quercus ilicifolia'' var. ''georgiana'' A.Wood |''Quercus nana'' (Marshall) Sarg. 1895 not Willd. 1805 |''Quercus nigra'' var. ''ilicifolia'' Kuntze |''Quercus nigra'' var. ''pumila'' Marshall |''Quercus pumila'' Sudw. 1898 not Walter 1788 |''Quercus rubra'' var. ''nana'' Marshall |}}}}

'''''Quercus ilicifolia''''', commonly known as '''bear oak''' or '''scrub oak''', is a small shrubby oak native to the Eastern United States and, less commonly, in southeastern Canada. Its range in the United States extends from Maine to North Carolina, with reports of a few populations north of the international frontier in Ontario.<ref>{{BONAP|ref |genus=Quercus |species=ilicifolia}}</ref> The name ''ilicifolia'' means "holly-leaved".

== Description == ''Quercus ilicifolia'' is a deciduous tree or shrub growing occasionally reaching a height of 6 meters (20 feet) but usually much smaller.<ref name="fna">{{eFloras|1|233501046|Quercus ilicifolia |family=Fagaceae |first=Kevin C. |last=Nixon}}</ref><ref name="feis">{{FEIS |genus=Quercus |species=ilicifolia |type=shrub |last=Gucker |first=Corey L. |date=2006}}</ref> It is gangly and can form a dense thicket. The plant grows from a large taproot, which reach 20 centimeters (8 inches) in thickness. The taproot lives a long time, producing several generations of above ground parts. The alternately arranged leaves are each up to 15 cm (6 in) in length by 10 cm (4 in) in width. The species is monoecious with plants bearing both male catkins and solitary or clustered female flowers. The egg-shaped acorn is {{Convert|1 to 2|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long with a saucer-shaped cap. The plant reproduces sexually by seed and also vegetatively by sprouting new stems.<ref name="feis" /><ref name="fna" />

== Distribution and habitat == ''Quercus ilicifolia'' is a dominant plant species in a number of regions and habitat types. In Maine, it is found in deciduous forests alongside red maple (''Acer rubrum''), gray birch (''Betula populifolia''), and quaking aspen (''Populus tremuloides''). In Massachusetts, it codominates with black huckleberry (''Gaylussacia baccata'') on the shrublands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. On Cape Cod, it occurs with pitch pine (''Pinus rigida'') and broom crowberry (''Corema conradii''). It is common in New Jersey's Pine Barrens and the pine barrens of Long Island. It also occurs in fire barrens on granite and gneiss further north in Canada.<ref>Catling, Paul M and Vivian R. Brownell. 1999. The flora and ecology of southern Ontario granite barrens. Pages 392-405 in Anderson, R.C., J.S. Fralish, and J.M. Baskin (eds). Savannas, Barrens, and Rock Outcrop Plant Communities of North America. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.</ref> ''Quercus ilicifolia'' is also present in the Piedmont of North Carolina, where it is listed as a state endangered plant.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gadd |first=Laura |title=Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Plant Species of North Carolina |publisher=NC Natural Heritage Program |year=2012 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |page=43}}</ref>

It is an oak that is adapted to disturbance in the habitat, such as wildfire and browsing. As a result, it does not tolerate shade and requires disturbance to remove other plant species so it can receive sunlight. It sprouts prolifically after fire burns away its above ground parts.<ref name="feis" />

== Ecology == ''Quercus ilicifolia'' provides food and shelter for many animal species. Bears consume the bitter acorns,<ref>{{cite book|last=Little|first=Elbert L.|title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region|publisher=Knopf|location=New York|year=1980|isbn=0-394-50760-6|page=391}}</ref> especially when preparing for hibernation. White-tailed deer eat the acorns and the stems and foliage. Many types of squirrels cache the acorns. Many birds depend on them; wild turkeys prefer them over other types of food. A large number of insect species live on the oak. This oak species is the primary or sole larval host for 29% of the rare or endangered Lepidopterans in southern New England and southeastern New York.<ref name=feis/>

== Uses == ''Quercus ilicifolia'' has been used in revegetation projects on the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island.<ref name=feis/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{category commons}} *[https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/queili/all.html ''Quercus ilicifolia''] at U.S. Department of Agriculture]

Category:Flora of Ontario Category:Flora of the Appalachian Mountains Category:Flora of the Northeastern United States Category:Flora of the Southeastern United States Category:Plants described in 1787 ilicifolia Category:Trees of Northern America