Quercus hemisphaerica aka Darlington Oak

Taxonomy

Genus Quercus Family Fagaceae Order Fagales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Quercus hemisphaerica, also known as sand laurel oak, laurel oak, Darlington oak, or laurel-leaf oak, is a species of oak that is native to the southeastern and south-central regions of the United States, ranging from Texas to Delaware. It belongs to the red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae and is often confused with and closely related to Quercus laurifolia (swamp laurel oak), but differs in several key characteristics. This medium-sized evergreen to semi-evergreen tree can grow up to 115 feet (35 m) tall with a 5-foot (1.5 m) trunk diameter, but is more commonly around 60 to 65 feet (18 m-20 m) tall. Its leaves are mostly elliptical or narrowly ovate, 1.2 to 4.7 inches (3 cm to 12 cm) long by 0.4 to 1.6 inches (1 cm to 4 cm) wide, and have a very short petiole ranging from 1/25 to 1/5 of an inch (1 mm to 5 mm) long. The leaf base is obtuse to rounded, and the leaves are entire, without teeth except one apical awn (rarely with a few teeth near apex). The acorns of Quercus hemisphaerica are hemispheric in shape, 0.35 to 0.6 inches (9 to 16.5 mm) by 0.35 to 0.6 inches (9 to 16.5 mm), and take 18 months to mature. They are 1/4 to 1/3 covered by a saucer to bowl-shaped cap. Sand laurel oak is a super rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Sand laurel oak likes soil that is well-draining and shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. This plant belongs to the Quercus genus and is native to the southeastern United States to Texas.

Common names

Darlington Oak, Laurel Oak, Darlington's Oak, Sand Laurel Oak, Laurel Leaf Oak

How to care for Darlington Oak

Difficulty

Caring for Darlington Oak is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Darlington Oak should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Darlington Oak loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Darlington Oak prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Darlington Oak is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Darlington Oak grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Darlington Oak as it grows vertically.

More info:
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More Species in Quercus Genus

Quercus acuta Japanese Evergreen Oak

Quercus polymorpha Netleaf White Oak

Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak

Quercus lobata Valley Oak

Quercus macrocarpa Burr Oak

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Quercus douglasii Blue Oak

Quercus stellata Post Oak

Quercus grisea Gray Oak

Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak