Quercus hypoleucoides, the silverleaf oak or the whiteleaf oak, is a North American species of oak tree or shrub. It grows in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Description
Quercus hypoleucoides, though usually seen as a shrub, can be found to be a full-sized tree, 9 metres (30 feet) tall in areas where it receives sufficient water. The tree produces its flowers in the spring as most plants do. It grows in warm regions and is used as an ornamental due to its unusual foliage. • Bark: Is dark gray in color. It is thin with shallow, lighter-colored fissures and narrow ridges. Q. hypoleucoides can be distinguished from other oaks by its lanceolate leaves which are dark green on top but silver white on the lower surface. == Taxonomy ==
Taxonomy
Its species name, hypoleucoides, means "white underneath", referring to the leaves. It has been referred to as Quercus hypoleuca Engelm., an illegitimate name, and as Quercus confertifolia Torr., not to be confused with Quercus confertifolia Bonpl. == Distribution and habitat ==
Distribution and habitat
The species is commonly found in moist canyons and on ridges. Specimens have also been collected south of the international frontier, in Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Sinaloa. == Ecology ==
Ecology
This species has acorns which are eaten by both squirrels and birds. == Uses ==
Uses
The acorns can be eaten after leaching out the toxic tannic acid. The tree has been used for ornamental purposes. Its leaves have a unique contrast due to the very white, silver color of the bottom. == References ==