Blackjack Oak
Quercus marilandica
- Native to:
- United States
Jay Sturner (www.flickr.com) from USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus marilandica
- USDA Symbol:
- QUMA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- 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
almond bud moth (Acrobasis minimella), Antaeotricha decorosella, Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx rileyi), Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), Pink-striped oakworm moth (Anisota virginiensis), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Yellowstriped oakworm moth (Anisota peigleri), Fixsenia favonius, Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Acronicta brumosa
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown, red
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Highly fire-adapted; thick bark protects mature trees, and root systems allow vigorous resprouting after top-kill. Common in fire-maintained oak-hickory and cross-timbers ecosystems.
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:
- Commonly found in dry, upland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns have no strong dormancy; fresh seed germinates readily after brief cold stratification. Plant immediately after collection for best results.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds (acorns) to be stratified in damp sphagnum peat moss for three or four months in 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit refrigerator. Acorns planted into individual pots deep enough to accommodate taproot or in flats to start off several seedlings, before transplanting them into individual pots. Do not let acorns dry.
Source: npn.rngr.net