Myrtle Oak (Quercus myrtifolia):
•Status in Florida: Native
•Native Habitat: Scrub, sandhills, pine flatwoods, coastal dunes
•Native State/Country: Southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina)
•Growing Zones: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
•Size at Maturity: 10 to 30 feet tall, 10 to 20 feet wide
•Phenology: Evergreen
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
•Growth Habit: Dense, Round, Shrub-like in some conditions, Small tree form
•Bloom Season: Spring (catkins)
•Sunlight Requirements: Full, Part
•Soil Texture: Sand, Loam
•Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral
•Moisture Requirements: Dry to Average
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Moderate
•Keystone Plant: Yes
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Naturalized areas, wildlife gardens, coastal and scrub restoration, xeriscaping
•Maintenance Tips: Minimal maintenance required; drought-tolerant once established; prune to maintain shape or control size; can be susceptible to oak wilt
•Considerations: Important for wildlife; can form dense thickets in sandy soils, providing excellent cover for small animals and birds
•Hurricane Wind Resistant: Yes
•Erosion Control: Yes
•Nitrogen Fixing: No
•Edible: No
•Pet Safe: Yes
•Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Moderate (young plants can be browsed but become more resistant as they mature)
•Historical Medicinal Uses: Acorns used by Indigenous peoples for food and medicinal purposes, though the acorns must be leached of tannins before consumption
•Florida Native Companion Plant (matching growing conditions): Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides), Sand live oak (Quercus geminata), Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa)
•Wildlife Benefit: Provides food for birds, small mammals, and insects; supports various species of moths and butterflies; acorns are a key food source for squirrels, deer, and turkeys
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes, hosts several butterfly and moth species, including the Horace’s duskywing and White M hairstreak
•Propagation: Seed (acorns)
•Length of Time Seed is Viable: Acorns should be planted immediately as they lose viability quickly
•Best Month to Start Seeds: Fall (plant fresh acorns after collection)
•Seed Treatments: No special treatment needed, but acorns should be soaked to check viability before planting
