Native Plants
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.
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.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: S.w. CA & Santa Catalina Island
Native Habitat: Dry fans and foothills away from the coast
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil 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 withSeed 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 PlantsFNA: Find Quercus engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus engelmannii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-09-23Research By: TWC Staff