Quercus hypoleucoides

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Quercus hypoleucoides
Quercus hypoleucoides - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Subgenus: Quercus subg. Quercus
Section: Quercus sect. Lobatae
Species:
Q. hypoleucoides
Binomial name
Quercus hypoleucoides
Quercus hypoleucoides range map 1.png
Natural range of Quercus hypoleucoides
Synonyms [3]
  • Quercus confertifoliaTorr., sensu auct.
  • Quercus hypoleucaEngelm., nom. illeg.

Quercus hypoleucoides, the silverleaf oak or the whiteleaf oak, is a North American species of oak tree or shrub. It grows in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. [4] [5]

Contents

Description

Quercus hypoleucoides, though usually seen as a shrub, can be found to be a full-sized tree, 9 metres (30 feet) tall in areas where it receives sufficient water. [6] [7]

The tree produces its flowers in the spring as most plants do. [8] It grows in warm regions and is used as an ornamental due to its unusual foliage. [9]

Q. hypoleucoides can be distinguished from other oaks by its lanceolate leaves which are dark green on top but silver white on the lower surface. [6] [7]

Taxonomy

Its species name, hypoleucoides, means "white underneath", referring to the leaves. [6] It has been referred to as Quercus hypoleucaEngelm., an illegitimate name, and as Quercus confertifoliaTorr., not to be confused with Quercus confertifolia Bonpl. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The species is commonly found in moist canyons and on ridges. [8] It also is found in coniferous forests and high elevated lands from 1,500–2,400 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft) above sea level. [6] Mountains of southern Arizona and New Mexico such as the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Chiricahua Mountains, for example, have a pine-oak woodland at an elevation of roughly 1,710–2,160 m (5,700 to 7,200 ft). Here, Q. hypoleucoides can be found as well as other species of oak trees such as the Q. arizonica , Q. emoryi , and Q. rugosa . [11]

Specimens have also been collected south of the international frontier, in Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Sinaloa. [5]

Ecology

This species has acorns which are eaten by both squirrels and birds. [6] The taller trees also help to provide shade for animals below who need to get away from the strong rays of the sun.

It is a vigorous post-fire resprouter and will form a multi-stem shrub in areas of repeated fire. [12]

Quercus hypoleucoides resprouting following fire Quercus hypoleucoides resprouting following fire.jpg
Quercus hypoleucoides resprouting following fire

Uses

The acorns can be eaten after leaching out the toxic tannic acid. [6]

The tree has been used for ornamental purposes. Its leaves have a unique contrast due to the very white, silver color of the bottom.

References

  1. Beckman, E. (2016). "Quercus hypoleucoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T78923860A78923869. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T78923860A78923869.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Quercus Hypoleucoides A. Camus Silverleaf Oak". United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Quercus hypoleucoides A.Camus". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  4. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  5. 1 2 SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona chapter
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Carter, Jack L.; Martha A. Carter; Donna J. Stevens (2003). "Shrubs". Common Southwestern Native Plants: An Identification Guide. Silver City, NM: Mimbres. p. 144.
  7. 1 2 "Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness". Western New Mexico University. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Silverleaf Oak". Flora of North America. EFloras.
  9. "Quercus Hypoleucoides A. Camus". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center . The University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  10. "Silverleaf Oak Fagaceae Quercus Hypoleucoides A. Camus". VT Forest Biology and Dendrology. Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31.
  11. Peet, Robert K. (2000). "Forests and Meadows of the Rocky Mountains". In Michael G. Barbour, W. D. Billings (ed.). North American Terrestrial Vegetation (2 ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. pp. 75–121.
  12. Schwilk, D.W..; Gaetani, M.; Poulos, H.M (2013). "Oak bark allometry and fire survival strategies in the Chihuahuan Desert Sky Islands, Texas, USA". PLOS ONE. 8 (11): e79285. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...879285S. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079285 . PMC   3828380 . PMID   24244469.