Quercus ×acutidens
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Quercus ×acutidens is a native California shrub in the Fagaceae family, recognized by hybrid nature and intermediate features make identification challenging.
Quercus ×acutidens is a California native shrub found in the Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations below 1,720 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces small inconspicuous flowers typical of oak species. Growing as an evergreen shrub or small tree 5 to 6 meters tall, with occasional specimens reaching 10 meters in height. Its leathery leaves are oblong to obovate, 2 to 6 centimeters long, with a shiny green to dull blue-green upper surface and pale green undersides that become less hairy with age. The fruit is a distinctive acorn cup 10 to 18 millimeters wide, with a bowl-shaped structure containing a 20 to 25 millimeter oblong nut.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; hybrid nature and intermediate features make identification challenging
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: < 1720 m
Bloom period
Quercus ×acutidens blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Prunus: Quercus has acorns in cups; cherries/plums have fleshy round fruits.; vs Notholithocarpus: Quercus has drooping catkins; tanoak has upright flower spikes.; vs Rhamnus: Quercus has acorns; buckthorns have berry-like fruits.; vs Ceanothus: Quercus has acorns; California lilacs have small capsule fruits.; vs Platanus: Quercus has acorns; sycamores have hanging ball-shaped seed clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quercus ×acutidens native to California?
Yes. Quercus ×acutidens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Quercus ×acutidens bloom?
Quercus ×acutidens blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Quercus ×acutidens belong to?
Quercus ×acutidens is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
What habitat does Quercus ×acutidens grow in?
Quercus ×acutidens grows in Slopes, chaparral, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.