OAK FAMILY 
The Variant Leaves of Spanish Oak. 
Quercus digitata. 
Leaves.—Alternate, six to seven 
inches long, four to five inches 
wide. Of two forms; first form 
oblong or obovate, usually wedge- 
shaped at base, five to seven-lobed, 
lobes often falcate, bristle-tipped, 
sinuses broad; second form is 
obovate with a broad apex which 
is three-lobed, otherwise entire. 
Both forms are found on the same 
branch, but sometimes character- 
ize different trees. They come out 
of the bud convolute, when full 
grown are dark shining green 
above, pale green covered with 
rusty pubescence below; midribs 
stout, tomentose ; primary veins 
prominent. In autumn they turn 
a bright clear yellow or dull yellow 
brown. Petioles short, flattened. 
Stipules oblong, caducous. 
flowers.—May, appearing with 
the leaves. Staminate flowers 
borne in hairy aments three to 
five inches long. Calyx four to 
five-lobed, pubescent; lobes 
ovate, rounded, shorter than the 
stamens. Stamens four to five 
with oblong yellow anthers. Pis- 
tillate flowers borne on stout pe- 
duncles. Involucral scales tomen- 
tose, as long as the calyx lobes ; 
stigmas long, dark red. 
Acorns.—Ripen in the summer 
of second year. Sessile or stalked. 
Nut is globular to oblong, one- 
half inch long, pale orange brown; cup thin and saucer-shaped, 
sometimes deep, often em- 
braces one-half the nut, 
covered with reddish brown, 
pubescent scales. 
The Spanish Oak is 
really a southern tree 
although it appears in 
New Jersey, southern 
Illinois and Indiana. Its 
leaves vary greatly in 
Spanish Oak, Quercus digitata. Acorns %/ long. 
364 
