Quercus parvula var. parvula

Santa cruz island oak, Santa Cruz Island Oak

Family: Fagaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.2

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.

Habitat: Canyons, slopes, chaparral, woodland

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: < 500 m

Bioregions: SCoRO (Santa Barbara Co.), n ChI (Santa Cruz Island), e WTR.

California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo

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