Scrub Oak
Quercus berberidifolia
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus berberidifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- QUBE5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow-green
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Acrolophus popeanella, Bent-winged Owlet Moth (Bleptina caradrinalis), Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), cloaked marvel (Chytonix palliatricula), crispate flannel moth (Megalopyge crispata), figure-eight sallow (Psaphida resumens), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hemileuca Walker, hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Io moth (Automeris io), Large Lace-border (Scopula limboundata), one-lined sparganothis moth (Sparganothis unifasciana), Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Orthodes cynica, Orthosia revicta, Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Pangrapta decoralis, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Pink Prominent (Hyparpax aurora), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Ruby Quaker (Orthosia rubescens), Spiny Oak Slug (Euclea delphinii), Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), sweetfern geometer (Cyclophora pendulinaria), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa), Xanthotype Warren, Xylena curvimacula, Xystopeplus rufago Butterflies:Argynnis idalia, Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Edwards' hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Gold-hunter's hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum), Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis), Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius), Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire from lignotuber; adapted to Mediterranean fire regime.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify before spring planting.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)