Bear Oak
Quercus ilicifolia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus ilicifolia
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- Red, Yellow, Green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Canada: Ontario
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American lappet moth (Phyllodesma americana), Antaeotricha decorosella, Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Cameraria bethunella, Cameraria castaneaeella, Cameraria ulmella, Chain-lined geometer moth (Cingilia catenaria), Epinotia timidella, Girlfriend Underwing (Catocala amica), Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), 🛑Herodias Underwing (Catocala herodias), Lineella Underwing (Catocala lineella), maple webworm moth (Pococera asperatella), Melsheimer's sack-bearer (Cicinnus melsheimeri), Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Phyllonorycter aeriferella, Phyllonorycter fitchella, red oak clearwing borer (Paranthrene simulans), Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), Scalloped sack-bearer (Lacosoma chiridota), Scarlet Underwing (Catocala coccinata), Spiny Oak Slug (Euclea delphinii), Synanthedon decipiens, tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Edwards' hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in dry, rocky, or sandy barrens
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o