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Quercus dumosa
Quercus dumosa Nutt.
Coastal Sage Scrub Oak, Nuttall's Scrub Oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: qudu
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An evergreen shrub, sometimes tree-like, to 15 ft. with an equal spread. Stiff twigs form a dense habit and bear wavy, leathery leaves. The prickly foliage is green on top and dull on the underside.
This common and variable shrubby oak hybridizes with tree species found nearby. Some plants classed as trees may be hybrids with size inherited from the larger parent. The scientific name means "bushy" or "shrubby."
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Sierra Nevada & Coast Ranges in CA
Native Habitat: Dry slopes below 5000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Dry sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Easy to grow and drought tolerant. Grows 1-2 ft. per year.
Propagation
Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. Many oaks require cold temperatures to initiate shoot development. Protect outdoor beds withSeed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Quercus dumosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus dumosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus dumosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-20Research By: TWC Staff