Boynton Sand Post Oak

Quercus boyntonii

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Quercus
Species:
Quercus boyntonii
USDA Symbol:
QUBO2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Girlfriend Underwing (Catocala amica), Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Io moth (Automeris io), Lineella Underwing (Catocala lineella), Little nymph underwing (Catocala micronympha), Meganola spodia, Menesta melanella, oak leaf blotch miner (Cameraria hamadryadella), Phyllonorycter basistrigella, Phyllonorycter fitchella, Pink-striped oakworm moth (Anisota virginiensis), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Scalloped sack-bearer (Lacosoma chiridota), Scarlet Underwing (Catocala coccinata), Similar Underwing (Catocala similis), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), Stilbosis victor, tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth (Lochmaeus manteo), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Fixsenia ontario, Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Fall Color:
yellow, brown
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Historically maintained by periodic fire in sandhill and dry woodland habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Native to sandy ridges and rocky outcrops

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Acorns have no deep dormancy but benefit from cold stratification to synchronize germination. Plant soon after collection as viability declines quickly.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.

Source: Claude AI