Alvord Oak
Quercus ×alvordiana
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
GBIF: edwardrooks
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus ×alvordiana
- USDA Symbol:
- QUAL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris hastiana, Acrobasis comptella, Andromache Underwing (Catocala andromache), California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Caloptilia sp., Cameraria jacintoensis, Cameraria serpentinensis, Cameraria temblorensis, Chionodes chrysopyla, Chionodes trichostola, Coleophora querciella, Decodes fragariana, Dyseriocrania auricyanea, Epinotia emarginana, Exoteleia graphicella, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Gloveria medusa, habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Henricus sp., Mesogona subcuprea, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Rectiostoma fernaldella, Recurvaria sp., Rhodophaea cruza, Slossonia rubrotincta, Telphusa sedulitella, Tischeria consanguinea, Trachycera caliginella, Xenolechia querciphaga, Xenolechia staspa, Gold-hunter's hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides some fire resistance; can resprout after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid regions, prefers dry conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI