Quercus parvula
Coast oak
(c) Konshau Duman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Konshau Duman · licence
Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Quercus parvula (Coast oak) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fagaceae family, recognized by coastal distribution and dull leaf undersides distinctive.
Coast oak is a California native shrub found in coastal habitats at elevations ranging from near sea level to moderate heights. Flowering in spring, this evergreen plant produces subtle greenish-yellow flowers typical of oak species. Growing as a multi-stemmed shrub 1 to 6 meters tall with an irregular, spreading form, it develops a complex branching structure. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging 3 to 9 centimeters long, with an oblong to ovate shape, featuring olive-green upper surfaces and lighter olive-green undersides with margins that can be spine-toothed or nearly smooth. The tree produces acorns in a bowl-shaped cup approximately 12 to 15 millimeters wide, with mature nuts developing over two years.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; coastal distribution and dull leaf undersides distinctive
Habitat and range
California counties: Santa Barbara, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Monterey, Mendocino
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 parvula native to California?
Yes. Quercus parvula is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Quercus parvula grow?
Quercus parvula occurs in Santa Barbara, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Monterey, Mendocino.
What plant family does Quercus parvula belong to?
Quercus parvula is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
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.