Family: Fagaceae
Author: (L.) Münchh.
Bibliography: Hausvater 5: 253 (1770)
Year: 1770
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Quercus
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Blackjack oak, scientifically designated as Quercus marilandica, is a resilient and distinctive oak species belonging to the family Fagaceae. This oak is widely distributed across central and eastern regions of the United States, adapting to varying environmental conditions and often found thriving in poor, sandy soils and dry, upland landscapes.
Characteristic of its rugged nature, the Blackjack oak typically presents itself as a small to medium-sized tree. Its stature can be somewhat gnarled and scrubby, making it a unique component of the flora in its native habitat. The leaves of the Blackjack oak are one of its identifying features; they are broad, often with distinctive three-lobed shapes that come to a sharp point, and a coarse texture. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, while the underside is a lighter hue with a rough, hairy feel.
This oak also plays a significant ecological role. Its acorns, although smaller than some other oak species, provide an essential food source for wildlife, including birds and mammals. The Blackjack oak’s ability to persist on sites with low fertility makes it a valuable species for maintaining biodiversity in challenging environments where other hardwoods might struggle to grow.
First identified and described in Hausvater 5: 253 (1770) by author (L.) Münchh., the Blackjack oak has since been a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists studying the adaptation mechanisms of flora in difficult soil conditions. Its tenacity and unique physical characteristics make the Blackjack oak a notable species within the rich tapestry of North American plant life.
Common Names
Eng: blackjack oak
En: Blackjack oak
Zh: 馬列蘭櫟樹
Cs: Dub marylandský
Fi: Patukkatammi
Ka: Ბლეკჯეკის მუხა
De: Schwarz-Eiche
Hu: Lantlevelű tölgy
Is: Drottningareik
Zh-tw: 馬列蘭櫟樹
Synonyms
- Quercus nobilis (Mast.)
- Quercus marilandica f. aequilobata (Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. incisa (Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. obovata (Trel.)
- Quercus ferruginea (F.Michx.)
- Quercus marilandica f. integrifolia ((Marshall) Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. quinqueloba ((A.DC.) Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica var. ashei (Sudw.)
- Quercus marilandica f. cuneata ((Wangenh.) Trel.)
- Quercus neoashei (Bush)
- Quercus nigra var. integrifolia (Marshall)
- Quercus marilandica f. paucidentata (Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. subtypica (Trel.)
- Quercus nigra var. quinqueloba (A.DC.)
- Quercus nigra var. marilandica (L.)
- Quercus marilandica f. truncata (Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. sublyrata (Trel.)
- Quercus marilandica f. subquinqueloba (Trel.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Ryan Miller (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Jennifer Summey (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Dénesné Csordás (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Sam Hamory (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Foresi Juan Pablo (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 5, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Thomas d’Angmar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Cynthia Brinkley (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Cynthia Brinkley (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2881630)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:284111-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Quercus marilandica (L.) Münchh.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree, Shrub
Growth rate: Slow
Growth
Ph maximum: 5.6
Ph minimum: 4.6