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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Quercus engelmannii

Quercus engelmannii Greene

Engelmann Oak, Engelmann's Oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: quen

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A small oak, 45-60 ft. tall , with a broad-spreading crown. The evergreen leaves are thick, gray-green, rounded and shallowly lobed. Tree with stout, spreading branches and broad, irregular crown, evergreen or nearly so. Branches are black and sinuous.

The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 60 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S.w. CA & Santa Catalina Island
Native Habitat: Dry fans and foothills away from the coast

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing. Will go deciduous under drought stress.

Propagation

Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately – outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. Many oaks require cold temperatures to initiate shoot development. Protect outdoor beds with
Seed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand. Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Quercus engelmannii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Quercus engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus engelmannii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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