Sonoran Scrub Oak
Quercus turbinella
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus turbinella
- USDA Symbol:
- QUTU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- 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
Acrobasis comptella, Andromache Underwing (Catocala andromache), Cameraria jacintoensis, Cameraria temblorensis, Catocala californiensis, Decodes fragariana, Gloveria medusa, Grote's buck moth (Hemileuca grotei), habrosana leafroller moth (Pseudexentera habrosana), Oslar's oakworm moth (Anisota oslari), Rhodophaea kofa, Telphusa sedulitella, tiger moth (Malacosoma tigris), Tischeria consanguinea, Xenolechia querciphaga
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, deer
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Common in chaparral and pinyon-juniper communities with periodic fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid, desert-like conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Acorns should be planted fresh in fall or cold stratified. Remove cap before planting.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: Claude AI