| Coastal sage scrub oak | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Fagaceae |
| Genus: | Quercus |
| Subgenus: | Quercussubg. Quercus |
| Section: | Quercussect. Quercus |
| Species: | Q. dumosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Quercus dumosa | |
Quercus dumosa is a species ofplant in the familyFagaceae, belonging to thewhite oak section of theoak genus (Quercus).[2] This tree goes by the common namescoastal sage scrub oak[3] andNuttall's scrub oak.[4]
Quercus dumosa is an evergreenshrub growing 1 to 3 metres (40–120 inches or 3–10 feet) tall from a large, deep root network. The leaves have spiny or toothed edges. The fruit is anacorn up to 1.5 centimetres (5⁄8 in) wide. Some individuals produce large crops of acorns, and some produce very few fruits. The acorns are dispersed by gravity as they fall from the tree, and by animals that pick them up, such assquirrels andjays. Animals eat them immediately orcache them for later. The acorns tend togerminate easily. Reproduction via seed generally occurs only in very moist years.[4][5]
The nameQuercus dumosa was formerly widely applied to nearly all the scrub oaks of the white oak group ofCalifornia andBaja California. Theconcept of this species has gradually narrowed asphylogenetic research andtaxonomic treatments have segregated out several species. Oaks previously placed underQ. dumosa include:[5]
However, the majority of oaks referred to asQuercus dumosa in the past are now regarded asQuercus berberidifolia. The current concept ofQ. dumosa is limited to the populations of scraggly shrub oaks with short petioles, cordate leaf bases, erect curly trichomes on the abaxial leaf surface, and narrow, acute acorns which almost always occur at low elevations and very often within sight of the ocean.[5]
Quercus dumosa is found in California and Baja California.[6][7] In Baja California, it is found from theMexico–United States border south to theColonet peninsula.[8] It is threatened byhabitat loss.[1] The species lends its name to the plant community called the "Quercus dumosachaparral", in which Coastal sage scrub oak andtoyon often co-dominate in chaparral.[9]
Quercus dumosa grows primarily in sandy soils such assandstone near the coast. Its habitat is often chaparral. This oak sprouts vigorously from its stump and root crown afterwildfire and develops a large canopy within a few years after a fire event. It sometimes co-dominates withCeanothus species as early as four years after a fire. This oak also does well in the absence of fire.[4]
The species is a severe allergen, with pollination generally occurring in spring.[10]
