Quercus similis

Weakley, Alan S., LeBlond, Richard J., McMillan, Patrick D., Sorrie, Bruce A., Poindexter, Derick B., Fuller, J. Brandon, Bridges, Edwin L., Budach, Brett J., Carr, Susan C., Crowl, Andrew A., Manos, Paul S., Fritsch, Peter W., Orzell, Steve L., Wipff, Joseph K., Messec, Lilly Anderson, Dellinger, Bob, Ungberg, Eric A., Yawn, Noah D., Cressler, Alan M., Oberholster, Chris, Barger, T. Wayne, Carter, J. Richard, Floden, Aaron J., Knapp, Wesley M., Copen, Iris, Jenkins, Amy M., Hughes, Ethan L., Annis, Jenna, Baker, Wilson & Mears, Randy L., 2024, Studies In The Vascular Flora Of The Southeastern United States. X, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 18 (1), pp. 17-77 : 47-48

Quercus similis

documented new to Florida (Leon County) Primary authors:Ethan L. Hughes and Jenna Annis

A recent record discovered by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) is discussed, helping to provide a more complete understanding of the flora of Florida. The taxon discovered is reported as new to the flora of Florida. Voucher specimens were collected for the taxon and are currently at FNAI’s small herbarium, but they will be deposited at FSU. Specific locality information is not included; however, the taxon is currently on a state-managed conservation land. The habitat for the taxon is discussed, as well as the current distribution and rarity of the species.

Quercus similis Ashe. This represents the first documented population of Q. similis in Florida. The medium to large-sized trees occur sporadically in one population in Leon County and are within a relatively intact and expansive bottomland forest flat community. The species occurs in the very rare South Atlantic Mixed Oak-Pine Calcareous Flatwoods Forest of coastal Georgia ( NatureServe Explorer 2024). Stands of this community in Georgia occur on the calcareous Meggett soil series. The habitat in Florida seems to lack the definite calcareous influence, though a portion of the known stand does occur on Meggett soil series. The habitat for the species extends from the base of Pinus palustris woodland (formerly) to the southern edge of the Ochlockonee River floodplain swamp. Quercus laurifolia Michx. dominates the canopy with lesser amounts of Q.phellos L., Q. nigra L., Q. michauxii Nutt , Pinus taeda L., P. glabra Walter , and Liquidambar styraciflua L. The understory is mainly composed of Carpinus caroliniana Walter var. caroliniana , Ilex opaca Aiton , Crataegus marshallii Eggl. , Sabal minor (Jacq.) Pers. , Arundinaria tecta (Walter) Muhl. , Elytraria caroliniensis (J.F.Gmel.) Pers. var. caroliniensis , Zephyranthes atamasco (L.) Herb. and Chasmanthium laxum (L.) Yates. The largest individual observed (26.5” DBH), on a return trip in the winter of 2023-2024 to collect acorns, was growing on a bottomland forest ridge surrounded by floodplain swamp. Identifying other similar “oak flats” along the Ochlockonee River corridor and north Florida may yield more populations of this unique bottomland oak species.

Voucher specimen: U.S. A. FLORIDA. Leon Co.: State Record. Numerous small trees scattered through bottomland forest with evidence of previous logging; common associate species include Quercus laurifolia , Q. michauxii , Q. nigra , Pinus taeda , Nyssa sylvatica , Carpinus caroliniana var. caroliniana , Crataegus marshallii , Sabal minor , Arundinaria tecta , Chasmanthium laxum , Dichanthelium commutatum var. commutatum , and Zephyranthes atamasco . Lake Talquin State Forest [detailed locality information is withheld as species is tracked as S 1 in Florida], 22 Jun 2023, Ethan Hughes 1 w/Jenna Annis (FSU).