Genus Quercus, L. (Oak)

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge lobed (edge of the lobes entire, or sometimes hollowed more or less deeply at the ends.) Outline - usually broad, reverse egg-shape or oval. Apex - of lobes, rounded. Base - wedge shape or round. Leaf - four to six inches long; rough above and below; thick and coarse. The lobes, five to seven and exceedingly variable in size and shape, radiating almost at right angles from the middle rib; sometimes broad and squared, sometimes much narrowed toward their base, with the spreading ends themselves lobed or hollowed; often irregularly and unequally placed. Bark - of the trunk, resembling that of the white oak, but rather darker. Inner bark white. Acorns - two to three together on a short stem (bout one fourth inch), or single and nearly stemless. Cup - round saucer-shape, rather thin, with very small scales, not warty. Nut - about one half inch long; egg-shape or oval; more than one third covered by the cup; shining blackish-brown, and often slightly striped; very sweet. Found - from the coast of Massachusetts southward and westward. General Information - A tree twenty to fifty feet high, of value, especially in the Southwestern States, where it is very common. Quercus, possible from a Celtic word meaning to inquire, because it was among the oaks that the Druids oftenest practised their rites.

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