OVERCUP OAK

Also called the Swamp White Oak, Swamp Post Oak, and Water White Oak

Classification

Kingdom: Plante Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopisda Order: Fagales Family: Fagaceae Genus: Quercus lyrata Walt. Species: Overcup Oak

Shape, Form, Type

~The Overcup Oak grows slowly in lightly packed soil.

~At a mature height, it extends between 45-65 feet high

~At mature spread, it reaches between 35-40 feet across

~The Overcup Oak’s shape is often referred to as round Figure 1

Bark

The bark of a common Overcup Oak is light brown and shaped in long, almost rectangular pieces. Some bend outward toward the end of the piece of bark and come away from the tree itself.Figure 2

Twig

~The petioles of a common Overcup oak are short, and the leaves sprout close to the stem.

~There are 3-4 buds on the end of each stem and buds are usually light brown or green

~The stem itself is a light brown that, when healthy, if scratched is green underneath

Figure 3

Leaf

~The Overcup Oak has alternating simple leaves that normally grown 6-10 inches long

~The underneath of the leaf is white in color and has a hairy texture

~Leaves have 5 to 9 lobes

Figure 4

Bud, Flower, and Fruit

~The buds are found at the beginning of the petiole and grow in clusters

~The flowers are string-like and green. They grow in clumps and hang off the stem

~Because the Overcup is an Oak, it produces a type of acorn with upward toothed casing and dark brown underneath the lighter brown top area.

Figure 1

Figure 5 Figure 6

Habitat and Range

~The Overcup Oak is found in several states within the US. The population of these trees is concentrated mostly in the southeast region of the country.

~The Overcup Oak grows in low lying wetlands. Their roots prosper the most in clay-like soils and loosely packed ground.

~The Overcup Oak thrives in temperatures ranging from 45° to 82°F

Figure 7

Uses

Some Herbalists believe the Overcup Oak to have healing properties. The bark only can be used to treat fevers, dysentery, bleeding gums and sore throat.

Also, bruised leaves my be used to heal wounds.

Work Cited: Text

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1. 2010. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=QULY

2. 2010. Quercus lyrata Walt. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/lyrata.htm

3. 2010. Nature Hills Nursery. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.naturehills.com/product/overcup_oak.aspx

4. 2010. Tree Identification! Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://whttp://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/q/wquly--flinflor32542.jpgww.thejump.net/hunting/plant-id/overcup-oak.htm

5. 2010. Florida Forest Trees. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Overcup_oak/overcoak.htm

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Work Cited: Images

Figure 1: Distant image of a Overcup Oak tree.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/dbpages/images/94cc.jpg

Figure 2: Close up of Overcup Oak bark.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/q/wquly--br30351.jpg

Figure 3: Overcup Oak Twig.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/q/wquly--tw33518.jpg

Figure 4: Overcup Oak leaf.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.thejump.net/hunting/plant-id/q-lyrata-overcup-oak.jpg

Figure 5: Overcup Oak flower.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/q/wquly--flinflor32542.jpg

Figure 6: Overcup Oak fruit.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/q/wquly--fr30347.jpg

Figure 7: Overcup oak range and habitat.

2010. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010