Live Oak

Quercus virginiana P. Mill.

KWER-cuss verge-in-ee-AY-nah

Fagaceae

Explanation of name: Quercus is an ancient name for oaks. Virginiana refers to the state of Virginia.

Natural range: Southeastern U.S., Texas, Mexico, native to Florida

Recognition: Massive shade trees, the leaves dark green, leathery, curled at the margins, pubescent beneath. Usually (but not necessarily) small specimens on scrub habitats with particularly curled, pubescent leaves, stellate hairs with upright (vs. appressed to the leaf according to WU1) and paired acorns are often classified separately as Sand Live Oak, Q. geminata Small or as Q. virginiana var. geminata (Small) Sarg.

Landscape uses: The most important shade tree of the South. Massive with enormous horizontal branches, festooned with Spanish Moss.

Internet source: http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/Pages/quegem/quegem.html