Quercus durata var. durata
Leather oak
Photo: parent species Quercus durata · (c) klicklo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Quercus durata var. durata (Leather oak) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fagaceae family, recognized by Serpentine chaparral scrub oak; small strongly cupped leaves w/ down-rolled margins.
Leather oak is a California native shrub found in the northern Coast Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, southern Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in chaparral, particularly on serpentine soils, at elevations of 150 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers typical of oak species. Growing as a dense, spreading shrub 1 to 3 meters tall with multiple stems, it forms thick, rounded clusters in rugged terrain. Its distinctive leaves are strongly convex on the upper surface, with edges tightly rolled under, and covered in short hairs when young, giving the foliage a leathery, textured appearance. The shrub is well-adapted to harsh, rocky serpentine landscapes, creating distinctive patches of vegetation in California's coastal and mountain chaparral ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Serpentine chaparral scrub oak; small strongly cupped leaves w/ down-rolled margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, generally serpentine
Elevation: 150-1500 m
California counties: Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Trinity, Monterey, Sonoma, El Dorado, Napa, Santa Barbara, Tehama, Colusa, Butte, Yuba, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Marin, Shasta, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Benito, Los Angeles, Fresno, Santa Clara, Placer, Solano
Bloom period
Quercus durata var. durata blooms Apr-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 durata var. durata native to California?
Yes. Quercus durata var. durata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Quercus durata var. durata bloom?
Quercus durata var. durata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Quercus durata var. durata grow?
Quercus durata var. durata occurs in Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Trinity, Monterey, Sonoma, El Dorado, Napa, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 150-1500 m.
What plant family does Quercus durata var. durata belong to?
Quercus durata var. durata is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
What habitat does Quercus durata var. durata grow in?
Quercus durata var. durata grows in Chaparral, generally serpentine.
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.