Quercus agrifolia var. oxyadenia

Coastal live oak

Family: Fagaceae · Type: tree · Native

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.

Habitat: Generally granitics

Bloom period: Mar-Apr

Elevation: 300-1500 m

Bioregions: SnGb, SnBr, PR

California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.