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Sand Live Oak

Quercus geminata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Sand Live Oak (Quercus geminata)

Sand Live Oak is a small, often multi-stemmed evergreen oak of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain, closely related to and often confused with the Live Oak. It specializes in growing on well-drained, nutrient-poor sandy soils of coastal scrub and sand ridges, where it forms low, dense thickets. Its leaves are distinctly revolute — curled under along the margins — distinguishing it from the flat-leaved coastal Live Oak. It is a keystone plant of Florida's sand scrub ecosystem.

Habitat
Coastal sand scrub, inland sandy ridges, well-drained white sand soils
Diet
Acorns eaten by scrub jays, deer, and gopher tortoises; critical for Florida scrub-jays
How common
Common

Best time to see a Sand Live Oak

The best time to see a Sand Live Oak is January–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,363 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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