Species PlantsBlackjack Oak

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

CommonPlant
Illustration of Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

Blackjack Oak is a small, scraggly oak of the driest, most impoverished sandy and rocky soils in the central and eastern United States. Its distinctive three-lobed leaves are wider at the tip than the base, making them unmistakable. It is a stress-tolerant species that thrives where other oaks fail, often growing with post oak in 'Cross Timbers' habitat.

Habitat
Very dry sandy and rocky soils in open woodlands and barrens
Diet
Acorns eaten by wild turkey, deer, and various birds; thickets shelter wildlife
How common
Common

Best time to see a Blackjack Oak

The best time to see a Blackjack Oak is March–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,759 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Blackjack Oak? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Blackjack Oak sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Blackjack Oak? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Blackjack Oak is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Blackseed Plantain
Blackseed Plantain
Plantago rugelii
Bladder Sedge
Bladder Sedge
Carex intumescens
Blanketflower
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Blind Prickly Pear
Blind Prickly Pear
Opuntia rufida
Blood Milkwort
Blood Milkwort
Polygala sanguinea
Bloodroot
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Ash
Blue Ash
Fraxinus quadrangulata
Blue Cohosh
Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides