Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia
Coastal live oak
Photo: parent species Quercus agrifolia · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia (Coastal live oak) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fagaceae family, recognized by Southern-range live oak (SnGb, SnBr, PR) on granitics; leaf underside densely woolly-tomentose.
Coastal live oak is a California native tree found in southern Gabilan Range, southern Baja, and Peninsular Ranges in granitic habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to April, this tree produces small cream-colored flowers in understated clusters. Growing with broad, spreading branches and a dense, rounded canopy, it develops a substantial trunk with rough, dark bark. Its leaves are distinctively thick and leathery, densely covered with soft white tomentum on the underside, creating a soft, felt-like texture when touched. The tree forms acorns that provide critical food for numerous wildlife species in its native coastal and mountain woodland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Southern-range live oak (SnGb, SnBr, PR) on granitics; leaf underside densely woolly-tomentose
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally granitics
Elevation: 300-1500 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia blooms Mar-Apr.
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 agrifolia var. oxyadenia native to California?
Yes. Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia bloom?
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia grow?
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, at elevations of 300-1500 m.
What plant family does Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia belong to?
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
What habitat does Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia grow in?
Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia grows in Generally granitics.
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.