Quercus stellata Wangenh.  

Quercus stellata is often identified by its commonly cross-shaped leaf form, particularly in the eastern part of its range. All individuals and populations do not express this characteristic, however. Moreover, Q . stellata has broad overlap with Q . margaretta and even with some forms of the blackjack oak, Q . marilandica , one of its most common associates. The thick yellowish twigs with indument of stellate hairs and the dense harsh stellate hairs on the abaxial leaf surface are better diagnostic characteristics when variation includes leaf forms that are not obviously cruciform. 

 Native Americans used Quercus stellata medicinally for indigestion, chronic dysentery, mouth sores, chapped skin, hoarseness, and milky urine, as an antiseptic, and as a wash for fever and chills (D. E. Moerman 1986).

Putative hybrids are known with Quercus marilandica , Q . alba , and various other white oaks. Quercus stellata is also one of the few oaks that appears to produce hybrids with species in the live oak group, although obvious intermediates are rarely encountered. Nothospecies names based on putative hybrids involving Q . stellata include: Q . × stelloides E. J. Palmer (= Q . prinoides × Q . stellata ), Q . × mahloni E. J. Palmer (as Q . sinuata var. breviloba × Q . stellata ), Q . × pseudomargaretta Trelease (= Q . margaretta × Q . stellata ), Q . × sterretti Trelease (= Q . lyrata × Q . stellata ), Q . × macnabiana Sudworth (= Q . sinuata × Q . stellata ), Q . × guadalupensis Sargent (= Q . sinuata × Q . stellata ), Q . × fernowi Trelease (= Q . alba × Q . stellata ), and Q . × bernardensis W. Wolf (= Q . montana × Q . stellata ).

Fagaceae -- Beech family

    John J. Stransky

    Post oak (Quercus stellata), sometimes called iron oak, is  a medium-sized tree abundant throughout the Southeastern and  South Central United States where it forms pure stands in the  prairie transition area. This slow-growing oak typically occupies  rocky or sandy ridges and dry woodlands with a variety of soils  and is considered drought resistant. The wood is very durable in  contact with soil and used widely for fenceposts, hence, the   name. Due to varying leaf shapes and acorn sizes, several  varieties of post oak have been recognized-sand post oak (Q.  stellata var. margaretta (Ashe) Sarg.), and Delta  post oak (Quercus stellata var. paludosa Sarg.)  are included here.

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More info for the terms: association, climax, codominant, competition, xeric

Facultative Seral Species

Post oak is intolerant of shade and competition. Because of slow growth
it is often overtopped by other species, including most oaks. It
persists and becomes dominant on poor sites because of its drought
resistance [47]. Delta post oak is moderately intolerant of shade [41].

Post oak is common in the understory of pine (Pinus spp.)-hardwood
forests. In the absence of fire, post oak may become dominant depending
on site conditions and competition from associated species [19]. In an
upland longleaf pine forest in the west Gulf Coastal Plain, post oak,
along with blackjack oak, bluejack oak, and black hickory (Carya
texana), became codominant and eventually replaced longleaf pine [4].

Post oak will expand into adjacent prairies in the absence of fire [47].
The post oak-blackjack oak association may be an edaphic climax on dry
sites [14].

Some of the most xeric sites of the South Carolina Piedmont are occupied
by old-growth communities of post oak, black oak, and blueridge blueberry
(Vaccinium vacillans). Although the community appears to be in steady
state, it may evolve into a hickory-dominated community in the absence
of fire [25].

Quercus stellata is an oak in the white oak group. It is a small tree, typically 10–15 m tall and 30–60 cm trunk diameter, though occasional specimens reach 30 m tall and 140 cm diameter. It is native to the eastern United States, from Connecticut in the northeast, to central Texas in the southwest. It is one of the most common oaks in the southern part of the eastern prairies, such as in the Cross Timbers.

Quercus stellata is often identified by its commonly cross-shaped leaf form, particularly in the eastern part of its range. All individuals and populations do not express this characteristic, however. Moreover, Q . stellata has broad overlap with Q . margaretta and even with some forms of the blackjack oak, Q . marilandica, one of its most common associates. The thick yellowish twigs with indument of stellate hairs and the dense harsh stellate hairs on the abaxial leaf surface are better diagnostic characteristics when variation includes leaf forms that are not obviously cruciform.