Sand Hill Oak is an evergreen small tree or large shrub in the Fagaceae (beech) family. It is native to Florida. While it can reach a height of 16 feet tall it more often is found in a shrub form reaching a height of about 5 feet. Its leaves are shiny, leathery and the edges cup downward in a distinctive way.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Leathery green leaves are simple, alternate with smooth margins and 3 1/2" long 1 3/4" wide. They point generally upward and the edges curl under on the long side. There may be sparse hairs on the petiole and midrib and the underside of the leaf is pubescent.
Flower color
Green
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Insignificant green blooms appear in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Acorns, 5/8" long brown cap that covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the elliptical nut, base starts out green matures to dark brown.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Fissured light grey bark
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Purple brown stems with sparse hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Florida
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Nut
Landscape Use
Design feature
Small Tree
Garden tags
#small tree #large shrub #evergreen tree #evergreen shrub #glossy leaves #leathery leaves #sandy soils tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Common Insect Pests of Oak in North Carolina; Oak Pest Management Calendar