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Quercus wislizeni

Quercus wislizeni A. DC.

Interior Live Oak

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: QUWI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Interior live oak is an intricately-branched evergreen that, in time, can reach 50 ft. The broad crown can be as wide as the tree is high. Smooth to spiny-toothed leaves are glossy and dark green. This, together with the reddish-brown bark, give the tree a formal appearance. Evergreen tree with short trunk and broad, rounded crown of stout, spreading branches; sometimes a shrub.

This species is named for its discoverer, Friedrich Adolph Wislizenus (1810-89), a German-born physician of St. Louis, Missouri. Although slow-growing, Interior Live Oak is planted as an ornamental. Deer browse the foliage, and the wood is used for fuel.

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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 50 feet tall.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: CA Sierran foothills and inner Coast Ranges, s. to Baja CA.
Native Habitat: Valleys & slopes below 5000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry soils.

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

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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