prairie grass glades along the eastern edge of the southern Great Plains. This semi-savanna is known as the Cross Timbers. Scrub forms of Q. marilandica dominate on many chert glades along with Q. stellata in Arkansas's Ozark plateau. Ecology Blackjack oak sometimes hybridizes with bear oak (Q. ilicifolia), forming a hybrid known as Q. × brittonii. Blackjack acorns provide food for both whitetail deer and wild turkey. Blackjacks may, however, cause tannic acid poisoning in cattle. Uses The wood is very dense and produces a hot flame when burned, which functions as an excellent source of heat for barbecues and wood-burning stoves. However, the wood is not desirable for wood fireplaces because the heat causes popping, thereby increasing the risk of house fires. Traditionally blackjack wood is used as both a fuel and smoke wood for barbecue in Oklahoma. References External links marilandica Endemic flora of the United States Trees of the Eastern United States Trees of the Plains-Midwest (United States) Trees of the South-Central United States Trees of the Southeastern United States Plants described in 1770 Taxa named by Otto von Münchhausen