Quercus engelmannii Greene
Engelmann oak, Engelmann's oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
USDA Symbol: QUEN
A small oak, 45-60 ft. tall , with a broad-spreading crown. The evergreen leaves are thick, gray-green, rounded and shallowly lobed. Tree with stout, spreading branches and broad, irregular crown, evergreen or nearly so. Branches are black and sinuous.
The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.