Quercus turbinella – “Turbinella Oak”

Also Known As: Scrub Oak, Desert Scrub Oak, Sonoran Scrub Oak, Grey Oak, Shrub Live Oak, Live Oak
Other Botanical Names: Quercus dumosa var. turbinella
Family: Beech (Fagaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Jun
Form: Evergreen shrub or small tree
Habitat: Rocky soils and canyons
Leaves: Ovate, coarsely toothed to spiny around margins; alternate
Translation: “Quercus” is the Latin word for “oak”; “turbinella” is Latin for “little tops,” which describes the pointy shape of the acorns.
Notes: Like many desert plants, but unusually for an oak, the twigs are covered with woolly hairs that help deflect sunlight and the leaves are leathery and spiny. It is so well-suited for the desert that it is intolerant of shade. The acorns are edible after they have been leeched of their tannins. Tea made from the bark is considered medicinal. Inset photo shows wasp gall that is common on this plant.
Native American Uses: The Hualapai ate the acorns roasted or used them to make bread and stew. The Mojave made a porridge and the Gila River Pima ate them raw. The Cocopa traded the acorns with the Paipai for wild sheep skins and the Havasupai used the wood for hoe and ax handles. The Luiseño used the galls as an astringent and for treating sores and wounds.
Animal Associations: Nuts eaten by many animals, including the Rock Squirrel, Pinyon Mouse, Ring-tailed Cat, and Mule Deer, which also forages on the foliage. Host plant for the California Gall Wasp and Coptotriche consanguinea moth. Its thickets provide a hiding place for Cougar kills.