Fauna
Plant

Southern Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Also known as Live Oak, Virginia Live Oak

Southern live oaks form sprawling, horizontal canopies draped in Spanish moss that define the coastal landscapes of the American South. Their thick, leathery leaves remain green through the winter until dropping briefly in early spring just as new growth emerges. The massive lower limbs often dip all the way to the ground, providing vital roosting habitat, shade, and acorn crops for coastal wildlife.

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Southern Live Oak reference1 / 7
Homer Edward Price / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Oak Wilt Fungus
  • Gall Wasps
  • Acorn Weevils
ThreatsOak wilt fungus, habitat fragmentation, coastal development, severe storm surges
HabitatsMaritime forests, coastal plains, hardwood hammocks, sandy soils
Life span200–500+ years
Classification
  1. OrderFagales
  2. FamilyFagaceae
  3. GenusQuercus
  4. SpeciesQuercus virginiana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Give Limbs Space: Avoid climbing on old horizontal branches, as heavy foot traffic can damage bark and spread pathogens.
  • Watch for Epiphytes: Look along major limbs for Spanish moss and resurrection fern thriving in the humid microclimate.
  • Check for Acorns: Scan the canopy in late autumn to see small, dark brown acorns prized by deer and squirrels.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

The Forest Floor

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