Common Name | Blue oak |
---|---|
Scientific Name | Quercus douglasii |
Plant Family | Fagaceae |
Origin | Native |
Duration | Perennial |
Flower color | Yellow |
Plant Type | Tree |
Habitats | Oak woodland, oak savanna, oak forest, foothill woodland, chaparral, woodland |
Description
The blue oak is endemic to California and gets its name from its blue-green leaves. It is a keystone species that offers food and shelter to all sorts of wildlife including birds, bats, insects, and larger animals.
Oaks, such as the blue oak, support the largest number of butterflies and moths in North America as a host plant. They are among the best things to plant to support wildlife, including a wide variety of mammals and birds.
Photo: Mary Nagle