Coastal Sage Scrub Oak
Quercus dumosa
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Madeleine Claire (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus dumosa
- USDA Symbol:
- QUDU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- 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, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seedlings establish in post-fire conditions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in coastal scrub and chaparral regions.
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; sow in fall or after stratification.
Pre-treatment: None required
Source: npn.rngr.net