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:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
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, deer, insects
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Common component of California chaparral adapted to periodic fire regimes.
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:
- Acorns have no true dormancy but benefit from cold stratification. Plant fresh acorns in fall for best results.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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