Dwarf Chinquapin Oak
Quercus prinoides
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Alfred Kinsey (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus prinoides
- USDA Symbol:
- QUPR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Girlfriend Underwing (Catocala amica), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Merry Melipotis (Melipotis jucunda), Neurobathra strigifinitella, oak leaf blotch miner (Cameraria hamadryadella), Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Phyllonorycter basistrigella, Phyllonorycter fitchella, Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer, turkey, squirrels
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire; historically maintained by fire in oak barrens and savanna ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in dry, open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; plant immediately as they lose viability quickly if allowed to dry out.
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 60 days.
Source: Claude AI