Quercus hemisphaerica (**sand **laurel oak****, laurel oak, Darlington oak, laurel-leaf oak) is a species of oak native to the southeastern and south-central United States. It is in the red oak section of Quercus sect. Lobatae. It is often confused with and closely related to Quercus laurifolia (swamp laurel oak), from which it differs in several key characteristics.

Description

Quercus hemisphaerica is a medium-sized evergreen to semi-evergreen tree which can grow as tall as 35 m with a trunk diameter of 1.5 m, although it is more commonly around 18-20 m tall. The leaves are entire, without teeth except one apical awn (rarely with a few teeth near the apex), mostly elliptical or narrowly ovate, and 3–12 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The petiole is very short, ranging from 1-5 mm long, and the leaf base is obtuse to rounded. The acorns are hemispheric in shape and 9 to 16.5 mm by 9 to 16.5 mm. The acorns take 18 months to mature and are a fourth to a third covered by a saucer- to bowl-shaped cap.

Similar species

Q. hemisphaerica resembles Quercus laurifolia (swamp laurel oak). They can be distinguished using these criteria.

Distribution and habitat

The tree can be found from Texas to Delaware. It grows in somewhat xeric sandy soils, on sand hills, and sometimes on hillsides.

Ecology

There is at least one known hybrid involving Q. hemisphaerica which is with Q. laevis (Q. × mellichampii Trel.).