Featured Plant
Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa
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The name macrocarpa means “large fruit,” and the acorns
of the bur oak are the largest of all North American oak species—about 1.5
inches long. The fruit is half-way enclosed in a cap with long-fringe. The
acorns mature in the same season, typically germinating soon after falling, and
do not withstand drying. The size of bur oak acorns is determined by how far
north the tree is growing. Trees in the southern part of the range produce
larger acorns than those growing further north. Research has shown that this is
likely due to environmental factors, such as temperature and rainfall (Koenig,
et al., 2009).
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Bur Oak images are courtesy of Bob Callebert via flckr