Mutant Tanoak
Notholithocarpus densiflorus
- Native to:
- United States
Wikimedia: Daderot
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Notholithocarpus
- Species:
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus
- USDA Symbol:
- NODEA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 4500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Caloptilia sp., Cameraria leucothorax, Cameraria marinensis, Cameraria walsinghami, Epinotia emarginana, Rectiostoma fernaldella, Telphusa sedulitella, Golden Hairstreak (Habrodais grunus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Shrub form (var. echinoides) is particularly fire-adapted in chaparral communities.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Acorns are recalcitrant and should be sown fresh in fall; they do not store well and lose viability quickly.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)