Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus ilicifolia Wangenheim

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Bear Oak is a shrub of dry, rocky soil found in only a few isolated locations on monadnock mountains in the Piedmont of North Carolina, the southern limit of its range. Surprisingly, it is not known from the Mountain region of NC. In Virginia it is more widespread and primarily found in the Mountains.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

The tree is named ilicifolia for the slight resemblance of its leaves to those of the European Holm Oak (Quercus ilex). Holly (Ilex spp.) also gets its name for its resemblance to Holm Oak (not vice versa, as you might guess).

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

The leaf undersides are pale and densely white-hairy.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Detail of leaf underside.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Female flowers.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Male flowers are in catkins (right).

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Immature acorn.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Immature acorns.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Young branches are densely hairy.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Bark of a small individual.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.

Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens) bark

The rough bark may be completely covered by lichens.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 5/27/12.

Bear Oak (Quercus ilicifolia)

Bark of a large individual.

Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 5/16/10.

More information:
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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