Bluejack Oak
Quercus incana
- Native to:
- United States
François André Michaux, Augustus Lucas Hillhouse (translator), Pierre-Joseph Redouté (illustrator), Boquet (engraver)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus incana
- USDA Symbol:
- QUIN
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
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
Hyparpax perophoroides, Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, squirrels, deer, wild turkey
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Historically maintained in sandhills and dry upland communities by periodic fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in dry, upland areas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns should be planted fresh in fall or cold stratified. They have no dormancy but benefit from cold treatment to synchronize germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: The plant is found in temperate deciduous forests of the southeastern United States.
Source: npn.rngr.net