Palmer Oak

Quercus palmeri

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Quercus
Species:
Quercus palmeri

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may
Bloom Colors:
White, Green
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, New Mexico

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

Acrocercops sp., Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), California oakworm (Phryganidia californica), Cameraria conglomeratella, Cameraria diabloensis, Cameraria leucothorax, Cameraria shenaniganensis, Decodes montanus, Dicogaster coronada, Distinct Tolype (Tolype distincta?), Epinotia emarginana, Eriocraniella falcata, Evippe sp., Hemihyalea edwardsii, Henricus sp., indiscreet cissusa moth (Cissusa indiscreta), McDunnough's underwing (Catocala mcdunnoughi), Neocrania bifasciata, Orgyia cana (Orgyia cana), Pseudocopivaleria anaverta, Rectiostoma fernaldella, Sicya pergilvaria, Stilbosis dulcedo, Telphusa sedulitella, Tolype sp., Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Western tussock moth (Orgyia vetusta), Bredow's sister (Adelpha bredowii), Golden Hairstreak (Habrodais grunus), Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in chaparral and desert regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o