A small tree on dry, sterile sites throughout the southeatsern U.S. except for the Mississippi valley. Leaves are deciduous and of variable shape but are generally obovate and 3-lobed at the apex with brown pubescence below. Twigs are similar to Q. velutina but red-brown in color. Fruit is to 3/4" and 1/2 enclosed in a thick, bowl-shaped cap. Bark is black, blocky "alligator skin".