About Quercus minima (Sarg.) Small
Quercus minima (Sarg.) Small is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that rarely grows taller than 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet). It reproduces both by seed and via underground rhizomes, and commonly forms large cloned colonies containing many stems, most of which are unbranched. Its leaves grow in an alternate arrangement, reaching up to 12 centimetres (4+1⁄2 inches) in length. Leaves can be toothless, or have irregular teeth or lobes; any lobes that are present are usually tipped with spines. The plant retains its leaves through the winter, dropping them just before or as new growth begins in late winter or early spring. This species is native to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. It is primarily found in Florida, and its native range extends from Florida to the Carolinas and eastern Louisiana. While there are reports of Quercus minima growing in Texas, these populations are now considered to belong to other taxa. Quercus minima has been recorded growing in open rocky areas, pine flatwoods, slash pine flatwoods, and along the shores of wetlands.
