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oaks of the Florida scrub
Periodically these bushy oaks are burned to the ground only to resprout from underground root systems that may actually be more massive than the above ground parts. The longer a scrub goes without burning, the larger the scrub oaks become, and if a scrub is prevented from burning for more that 40-70 years they (especially sand live oak) will become small trees. The acorns of the scrub oaks supply food for scrub jays and many other animals. The scrub oaks are the "backbone" of the Florida scrub.
Copyright 1997-2001 |
Plants of The Florida Scrub 
Florida scrubs
typically are dominated by one or more of four oak
species. These oaks are not trees, but shrubs, rarely
exceeding 8' in height. Structurally, the scrub oaks look
similar, but can be identified by their leaves. Sand live
oak (Quercus geminata), left, has
oblong, evergreen leaves, about 2-3" long, with
curled-under edges and pubescence (hairiness) beneath. 
Myrtle oak (Q. myrtifolia), right, has shiny, rounded evergreen leaves, about
2" long, that are glabrous (without hairs) beneath.
(Use the tip of your tongue to feel for pubescence on
leaves.)
Chapman's oak (Q. chapmanii), left, has
larger, deciduous leaves with various irregular shapes
and irregular pubescence. These three oaks are found in
nearly all Florida scrubs. 
A fourth species, inopina oak (Q. inopina), right, occurs
in scrubs in central Florida only, and usually replaces
myrtle oak. The leaves of inopina oak are curled and
directed upward. 
