AMERICAN GARDENER

Quercus kelloggii, commonly known as the California Black Oak, is part of the Quercus genus within the Fagaceae family. It belongs to the red oak group, characterized by leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped lobes and acorns that mature over two years. The species name “kelloggii” honors Albert Kellogg, a 19th-century California botanist. California Black Oak is … Read more

Quercus shumardii, commonly referred to as the Shumard Oak, is a species within the Quercus genus of the Fagaceae family. It is part of the red oak group, characterized by leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped lobes and acorns that mature over two years. The species name “shumardii” honors Benjamin Franklin Shumard, a 19th-century geologist who contributed … Read more

Quercus velutina, known commonly as the Black Oak, is a member of the Quercus genus within the Fagaceae family. It falls into the red oak group, characterized by leaves with pointed, bristle-tipped lobes and acorns that mature over two years. The species name “velutina” is derived from the Latin word for “velvety,” referring to the … Read more

Quercus phellos, commonly known as the Willow Oak, is a member of the Quercus genus in the Fagaceae family. It falls within the red oak group, characterized by leaves with pointed lobes and acorns that take two years to mature. However, Willow Oak is unique among oaks for its willow-like, narrow leaves, which are lanceolate … Read more

Quercus prinus, commonly known as the Chestnut Oak or Rock Oak, belongs to the Quercus genus in the Fagaceae family. It’s part of the white oak group, characterized by leaves with rounded lobes and acorns that mature in one season. Note, there’s some taxonomic confusion with Quercus montana, where Quercus prinus is sometimes considered a … Read more

Quercus bicolor, commonly known as the Swamp White Oak, is a member of the genus *Quercus* in the Fagaceae family. It falls within the white oak group, characterized by leaves with rounded lobes and acorns that mature in one season. The species name “bicolor” refers to the two-tone nature of its leaves, which have a … Read more

Quercus macrocarpa, commonly known as the Bur Oak or Mossycup Oak, is a member of the Quercus genus within the Fagaceae family. It belongs to the white oak group, recognized by its leaves with rounded lobes and acorns that mature in one season. The species name “macrocarpa” refers to the large size of its acorns, … Read more

Quercus rubra, commonly known as the Northern Red Oak or simply Red Oak, is a member of the genus Quercus in the beech family, Fagaceae. It falls within the red oak group, which is characterized by leaves with pointed lobes and acorns that take two years to mature. The species name “rubra” is Latin for … Read more

Quercus robur, commonly known as the English Oak or Common Oak, belongs to the genus Quercus within the Fagaceae family. This species falls under the white oak group, identifiable by its leaves with lobed margins where the lobes do not have bristle tips, unlike those in the red oak group. The specific epithet “robur” is … Read more

Quercus virginiana, commonly known as the Southern Live Oak, is part of the genus Quercus within the beech family, Fagaceae. It belongs to the white oak group, but unlike most oaks in this group, it maintains its leaves nearly year-round, giving it the appearance of an evergreen, though it’s technically semi-evergreen. Its leaves are simple, … Read more