Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

Typically in season from September to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Scrub & hedgerows. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · iNaturalist

When Blackjack Oak is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak September to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Blackjack Oak is usually found in Woodland, Scrub & hedgerows.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Similar species: Black oak, Southern red oak, Bear oak. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Blackjack Oak into the field

Open Blackjack Oak in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Blackjack Oak: common questions

When is Blackjack Oak in season?

Blackjack Oak is generally in season from September to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Blackjack Oak grow?

Blackjack Oak is usually found in Woodland, Scrub & hedgerows.

Is Blackjack Oak safe to forage?

Similar species: Black oak, Southern red oak, Bear oak. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits