Quercus durata var. gabrielensis
San gabriel oak, San Gabriel Oak
Photo: parent species Quercus durata · (c) klicklo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis (San gabriel oak) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fagaceae family, recognized by convex leaves and granitic habitat preference help separate from other varieties.
San gabriel oak is a native shrub ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in southeastern Transverse Ranges and southern Gabilan Range on southern slopes in chaparral and granitic landscapes at elevations of 450 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this shrub produces small greenish-white flowers. Growing as a dense, low-spreading shrub reaching 1 to 3 meters tall with multiple twisted stems, it forms compact thickets in rocky terrain. Its leaves are distinctively leathery with slightly raised surfaces on the upper side and densely covered in short hairs on the underside, with margins that often curl slightly under. The compact growth and specialized leaf structure help this oak thrive in challenging, rocky chaparral environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; convex leaves and granitic habitat preference help separate from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, granitics
Elevation: 450-1000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside
Bloom period
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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. gabrielensis native to California?
Yes. Quercus durata var. gabrielensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Quercus durata var. gabrielensis bloom?
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Quercus durata var. gabrielensis grow?
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, at elevations of 450-1000 m.
What plant family does Quercus durata var. gabrielensis belong to?
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
Is Quercus durata var. gabrielensis rare or endangered?
Quercus durata var. gabrielensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.