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8 wrz 2020 · Haunting alluvial river bottoms and creek beds across the Deep South, is a highly unusual oak species, Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata). Unlike nearly any other Oak and most sane people, Overcups occur deep in alluvial swamps and spend most of their lives with their feet wet.
Quercus lyrata, the overcup oak, is an oak in the white oak group (Quercus sect. Quercus). The common name, overcup oak, refers to its acorns that are mostly enclosed within the acorn cup. [3]
15 mar 2018 · Overcup oak is compact, well-behaved, and susceptible to few pests and diseases. With its charming acorns and interesting leaves, overcup oak has features that can be admired by urban foresters and the general public alike.
Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), also called swamp post oak, swamp white oak, and water white oak, is quite tolerant of flooding and grows slowly on poorly drained flood plains and swamp lands of the Southeastern United States. It may take 30 years before overcup oak produces acorns.
Like all oaks, the Overcup Oak is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers. The male flowers are in hanging yellow catkins (long, thin cluster of flowers), and the females are inconspicuous and red, in small clusters. The flowers bloom in early spring.
Leaves turn shades of yellow-brown (sometimes with orange and red) in fall. Female flowers give way to acorns (to 1" long) which mature in September to October. Overcup oaks usually do not begin bearing acorns until 25-30 years old.
Its glossy leaves are 6 to 10 inches long and 1 to 4 inches wide with 5 to 9 rounded lobes separated by broad, irregular sinuses, and turn a rich yellow-brown in autumn. The broad, nearly round acorn is about 1/2 to 1 inch wide and is covered almost completely with a scaly cup, thus its common name.
