Quercus rubra Linnaeus var. ambigua (A. Gray) Fernald. Subgenus: Quercus. Section: Lobatae. Subsection: Coccineae. Common name: Gray Oak. Phenology: May; Sep-Oct (of the second year). Habitat: Forests on ridges, slopes, and coves, in the Southern Appalachians mostly at over 1000 meters elevation. Distribution: Fairly widespread in ne. North America south to PA, and in the Appalachians to w. NC, nw. SC, and n. GA.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: This and var. rubra tend to intergrade and their distinction as even varieties may not be warranted. For discussion of the two varieties, see McDougal & Parks (1984) and Jensen (1977).
Synonymy ⓘ: = Mi, NS; = Quercus borealis F.Michx. — S; = Quercus borealis F.Michx. var. borealis — G, GrPl; = Quercus rubra L. var. borealis (F.Michx.) Farw. — F, FNA3, RAB, WV; < Quercus rubra L. — C, Can, Il, K4, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, POWO, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W
Links to other floras: = Quercus rubra var. borealis - FNA3
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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