Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Grey Oak (Quercus turbinella) is a rare native shrub in the Fagaceae (Oak) family that grows in scattered locations throughout the Southwestern U.S. In California it is found primarily in the Desert Mountains and Mojave Desert regions at elevations from 3900-6600 feet. The climate in these areas is wet and relatively cold in winter, dry and hot in summer. The oblong leaves are yellowish-green and the bark is grey, giving the plant an overall grey appearance.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

7 - 10 ft Tall
10 ft Wide

Form

Mounding, Rounded, Upright

Calscape icon
Color

Cream, Green

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Hedge

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Never irrigate once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds sow in fall outdoors or stratify to hold for spring sowing. (USDA Forest Service 1974).

Sunset Zones

5, 7*, 8, 9*, 10, 11, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Dry slopes on the eastern slopes of the Coast Ranges, Transverse Range and Peninsular Range

Plant communities

Joshua Tree Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

Use with other desert edge or high desert plants such as Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), California Juniper (Juniperus californicus), and Pinyon Pine (Pinus monophylla).

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

6 confirmed and 107 likely

Confirmed Likely

Andromache Underwing Moth

Catocala andromache

Catocala californiensis

Coptotriche consanguinea

Decodes fragariana