Ajo Mountain Scrub Oak

Quercus ajoensis

Ajo Mountain Scrub Oak

Isaac Krone

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Quercus
Species:
Quercus ajoensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
8-12 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may
Bloom Colors:
Green, Brown
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Acrobasis comptella, Andromache Underwing (Catocala andromache), Cameraria jacintoensis, Cameraria temblorensis, Catocala californiensis, Decodes fragariana, Gloveria medusa, Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Oslar's oakworm moth (Anisota oslari), Rhodophaea kofa, Telphusa sedulitella, tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Tischeria consanguinea, Xenolechia querciphaga

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to arid regions, prefers rocky slopes

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o