Quercus parvula var. parvula
Santa cruz island oak, Santa Cruz Island Oak
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Family: Fagaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Quercus parvula var. parvula (Santa cruz island oak) is a native California shrub in the Fagaceae family, recognized by entirely smooth leaf margins on a low shrub.
Santa cruz island oak is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz Island, and eastern Transverse Ranges in canyon, slope, chaparral, and woodland habitats at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers typical of oak species. Growing as a compact shrub one to two meters tall with multiple stems, it forms dense, rounded clusters in its native landscape. Its leathery leaves are generally entire, maintaining a simple, dark green appearance that helps the plant blend into its rugged island and coastal environments. This distinctive shrub oak represents an important component of the unique island ecosystem, adapting to challenging maritime conditions with its resilient growth form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; key feature is entirely smooth leaf margins on a low shrub
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons, slopes, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Quercus parvula var. parvula blooms Mar-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 parvula var. parvula native to California?
Yes. Quercus parvula var. parvula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Quercus parvula var. parvula bloom?
Quercus parvula var. parvula blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Quercus parvula var. parvula grow?
Quercus parvula var. parvula occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Quercus parvula var. parvula belong to?
Quercus parvula var. parvula is in the Fagaceae family, genus Quercus.
Is Quercus parvula var. parvula rare or endangered?
Quercus parvula var. parvula 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.