Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinkapin Oak, Chinquapin Oak)


Botanical Information

FamilyFagaceae
GenusQuercus
Speciesmuehlenbergii
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
Origin(Southern Ontario) Canada, (eastern and central) United States of America and north-eastern Mexico.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height15-24 m
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
ID CharacteristicThe leaf base is typically more rounded. The veins and sinuses are regular. Acorns on short stalks and turn chestnut brown in autumn. The leafs have sharp teeth but no bristles.
HabitatDry areas at an altitude of 0-2,300 m.
Bark/Stem DescriptionScaly, thin and light grey with reddish twigs.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionGlobose and brown, 2-4 cm.
Leaf DescriptionOboval to oblanceolate, thick, 8-13 lobes, glossy green and glabrescent with a whitish-green underside, a broad midrib and cuneate base, 6-20 x 4-9 cm.
Flower DescriptionThe monoecious staminate flowers are borne in catkins that develop from the leaf axils of the previous year, and the pistillate flowers develop from the axils of the current year's leaves.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit, an acorn or nut, is borne singly or in pairs, matures in 1 year, and ripens in September or October. About half of the acorn is enclosed in a thin cup and is chestnut brown to nearly black.

Photographs