Notholithocarpus sp.
Tan oak, tanbark oak, Tanbark Oak
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Notholithocarpus sp. (Tan oak) is a native California shrub in the Fagaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Notholithocarpus sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Notholithocarpus sp. belong to?
Notholithocarpus sp. is in the Fagaceae family, genus Notholithocarpus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus — Tanoak
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. densiflorus — Tanoak
- Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides — Tanoak shrub
- Quercus ×acutidens
- Quercus agrifolia — Coast live oak
- Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia — California live oak
- Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia — Coastal live oak
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.