Scientific Family
Fagaceae
Synonyms
Quercus dunnii
Other common names
Dunn oak
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus dunnii
Thicket-forming small tree or shrub with several small trunks. Trunk to 4 inches in diameter.
Shrubby growth form. Leaf blades elliptic to round, grayish-green above, yellowish to whitish below, margins wavy and spiny, but not lobed, mostly without hairs, leaf veins sometimes prominent on upper surface.
Height
20 feet
Width
20 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Habitat includes dry slopes and canyons in chaparral and pinyon juniper woodland, common in the foothills of the Verde Valley and on drier slopes of the surrounding mountains.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
6000
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark yellowish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Bottom of leaves
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Evergreen
Stiff, leathery, and brittle. Edges are wavy with sharp spine-teeth. Upper surface is shiny, waxy, and dark yellowish-green in color. Bottom surface is grayish-green and coated with glandular hairs.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Very small. Males flowers in drooping clusters, females clusters in short spikes.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Light brown
Fruit type
Acorn or acorn-like
Acorns are egg-shaped to 1-1/2 inches long with an oversized cup and coated with golden hairs. Cap is flattened and nearly plate shaped. Matures after 2 years.