Chrysolepis sp.
Chinquapin, Chinquapin
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Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Chrysolepis sp. (Chinquapin) is a native California shrub in the Fagaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Chrysolepis nuts are completely enclosed in spiny burs; oak acorns sit in open cups.; vs Notholithocarpus: Chrysolepis has spiny burs enclosing nuts; tanoak has cup-scaled acorns like oaks.; vs Frangula: Chrysolepis has spiny burrs with nuts; Frangula has smooth berry-like fruits.; vs Castanopsis: Both have spiny burs, but Castanopsis doesn't occur wild in California.; vs Heteromeles: Chrysolepis has spiny burs; toyon has clusters of red berries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chrysolepis sp. native to California?
Yes. Chrysolepis sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Chrysolepis sp. belong to?
Chrysolepis sp. is in the Fagaceae family, genus Chrysolepis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Chrysolepis chrysophylla — Giant chinquapin
- Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. chrysophylla — Giant chinquapin
- Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. minor — Bush chinquapin
- Chrysolepis sempervirens — Bush chinquapin
- Fagaceae sp. — Oak family
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus — Tanoak
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. densiflorus — Tanoak
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides — Tanoak shrub
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.