Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides
Tanoak shrub
Photo: parent species Notholithocarpus densiflorus · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Tanoak shrub) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fagaceae family, recognized by 1 sympatric variety; differs by smaller leaf size, shrub habit, and higher elevation coniferous habitat.
Tanoak shrub is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in mixed-conifer and red-fir forest at elevations of 600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small, clustered flowers in subtle cream or greenish tones. Growing with dense, rounded form reaching 1 to 3 meters tall, it forms thick, multi-stemmed clusters with rough, dark bark. Its leathery leaves are dark green, broadly lance-shaped, 3 to 5 centimeters long and 10 to 30 millimeters wide, with distinctive serrated edges and a tough, somewhat bristly texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric variety; differs by smaller leaf size, shrub habit, and higher elevation coniferous habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed-conifer and red-fir forest
Elevation: 600-2000 m
California counties: Del Norte, Trinity, Shasta, El Dorado, Placer, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mariposa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Sierra, Yuba, Nevada, Butte
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Notholithocarpus has erect flower spikes; oak catkins hang downward.; vs Heteromeles: Notholithocarpus has acorns in cups; toyon has red berry clusters.; vs Frangula: Notholithocarpus has acorns; Frangula has smooth berry-like fruits.; vs Chrysolepis: Notholithocarpus has cup-scaled acorns; Chrysolepis nuts are in spiny burs.; vs Alnus: Notholithocarpus has acorns; alders have small woody cones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides native to California?
Yes. Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides bloom?
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides grow?
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides occurs in Del Norte, Trinity, Shasta, El Dorado, Placer, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 600-2000 m.
What plant family does Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides belong to?
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides is in the Fagaceae family, genus Notholithocarpus.
What habitat does Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides grow in?
Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides grows in Mixed-conifer and red-fir forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.