Plant Database
Interior Live Oak
Quercus wislizenii
Quercus wislizenii is a majestic, evergreen oak native to California and parts of Oregon, prized for its dense, rounded canopy, leathery green foliage, and remarkable adaptability. This variable tree or large shrub features a broad, irregular crown with reddish-brown to dark gray, deeply fissured bark with age. The leathery, dark green leaves are highly variable, ranging from lance-shaped to egg-shaped, often with spiny, rolled-under margins resembling holly leaves. In spring, inconspicuous female flowers and semi-showy yellow-green male catkins produce acorns that are a vital food source for birds, squirrels, deer, and other wildlife. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, it is an outstanding choice for native plantings, wildlife gardens, slopes, and large landscapes.