Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
Miguel Vieira from Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus lobata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
Native Range
United States: California
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
California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Caloptilia sp., Cameraria lobatiella, Cameraria mediodorsella, Cameraria mendocinensis, Cameraria pentekes, Chionodes chrysopyla, Chionodes formosella, Chionodes occidentella, Chionodes petalumensis, Chionodes raspyon, Chionodes sp., Chionodes trichostola, Coleophora querciella, Decodes basiplagana, Decodes fragariana, Dorithia semicirculana, Dorithia trigonana, Dyseriocrania auricyanea, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Epinotia emarginana, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Henricus sp., Io moth (Automeris io), Nemoria glaucomarginaria, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Pacific tent caterpillar (Malacosoma constricta), Rectiostoma fernaldella, Recurvaria glinax, Telphusa sedulitella, Tischeria consanguinea, Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Xenolechia staspa, California hairstreak (Satyrium californicum), Gold-hunter's hairstreak (Satyrium auretorum), Mournful Duskywing (Erynnis tristis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- deep, well-drained, fertile loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers valley floors and alluvial plains
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o