92. QUERCUS OBTTJSILOBA POST C>AK, IRON OAK. 35 



92. QUERCUS OBTUSILOBA, MICHAUX.* 

 POST OAK, IRON OAK. 



Ger., Pfahl-Eiclie ; Fr., Chene poteau ; Sp., RoUe de poste. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER : Leaves with short petioles, of 5-7 rounded lobes, the 

 two nearest the summit much the largest and usually with 1-3 shallow notches, 

 rounded sinuses, (acute sometimes when very deep) abrupt or cunate at base, rather 

 thick, with deflected margin, rough and shining green above, paler, prominently 

 veined and furnished beneath as well as the petioles and shoots of the season with 

 grayish down. Flowers as described for the genus ; with 6-8 stamens ; stigmas sub- 

 sessile. Fruit an ovoid acorn maturing the first year, 1 to f in. in length and one- 

 half to one-third invested in the deep saucer-shaped cup composed of slightly rugged 

 scales ; kernel sweetish. 



(Obtusiloba is the Latin for bhtnt-lobed and is descriptive of the leaves.) 



A handsome tree occasionally attaining the hight of 80 ft. (24 m.) 

 with full rounded top and 3 or 4 ft. (1 m.), or rarely more, in diameter 

 of trunk, clothed in an ash-gray bark deeply furrowed longitudinally 

 and with prominent firm ridges which break away in chunks or thick 

 scales. The foliage of the tree is conspicuous on account of the peculiar 

 stellate arrangement of the leaves which are clustered mostly at the ends 

 of the branchlets. 



HABITAT. From the coast of Massachusetts westward through 

 southern Ontario to central Nebraska, and southward to Florida and 

 Texas, on sandy barren soil and dry uplands, abundant in the south. In 

 the north confined mostly to the coast region. 



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. Wood heavy, hard and strong, with promi- 

 nent medullary rays, and durable in contact with the soil; of a rich light 

 brown color and brownish-white sap-wood. Specific Gravity, 0.8367; 

 Percentage of Ash, 0.70; Relative Approximate Fuel Value, 0.8301; 

 Coefficient of Elasticity, 83257; Modulus of Rupture, 872; Resistance to 

 Longitudinal Pressure, 487; Resistance to Indentation, 276; Weight of 

 a- Cubic Foot in Pounds, 52.14. 



USES. A valuable wood in regions where abundant for fuel, railway 

 ties, fencing, cooperage, wagon-stock, etc. 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. None are specified of this species, though 

 those mentioned of the White Oak (Q. alba) would probably be true of 

 this also. 



* Q. stellata, Wang. Q. minor (Marsh.,) Sargent. 



