Myrtle Oak (Quercus myrtifolia) is a hardy, evergreen native tree ranging from 5 to 30 feet tall. It thrives in full sun to part shade, preferring sandy, acidic soils and tolerating long dry periods. Known for its strong hurricane wind resistance and ability to form dense thickets through root sprouts, Myrtle Oak provides excellent cover and year-round habitat for wildlife. Its small, brown acorns ripen in the second fall and are a vital food source for squirrels, small mammals, and especially the Florida scrub-jay, which relies on their tannin-rich nuts to stay nourished through winter. Birds use Myrtle Oak for nesting and perching, but its greatest ecological value lies in its role as a host plant for butterflies. It supports the larvae of several native species, including Horace’s Duskywing, Red-banded Hairstreak, and White-M Hairstreak, and may also serve as a host for Juvenal’s Duskywing and Oak Hairstreak.
- Evergreen tree
- Size: 5 to 30 ft.
- Fruit: Brown
- Exposure: Full sun, part shade
- Moisture: Well-drained to dry
- Soil: Sand, acidic
- Larval host plant for Horace’s Duskywing, Red-banded Hairstreak, White-M Hairstreak, Juvenal’s Duskywing, Oak Hairstreak butterflies
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