Quercus pacifica Nixon & C.H.Mull.

California (endemic at Sta Cruz, Sta Catalina and Sta Rosa Islands; does not occur on mainland); near sea level to 300 m;

shrub, seldom a small tree, 2-5 m tall, sometimes more;

1.5-4 x 0.7-2 cm; persistent or semi-persistent; oblong to oboval, slightly wavy; margin entire or toothed (1-9 pairs of teeth); apex rounded, base broadly cuneate (young leaves tend to rounded base); shiny green above, bloomy beneath with appressed stellate hairs; 4-6 vein pairs; petiole 2-5 mm slightly pubescent;

spring;

acorn 2-3 cm long, spindle-shaped, pointed, hairless; subsessile; enclosed 1/4 to 1/2 by cup; cup half-round or top-shaped, with irregular, warty scales; cotyledons distinct; maturing in 1 year;

not quite hardy, but withstands -12° C; prefers dry places;

– Sub-genus Quercus, Section Quercus, Subsection Dumosae; – Rare. Threatened (IUCN Red List Category : EN). – Has been at first considered as a variety of Q.dumosa , then has been named Q.berberidifolia , but differs from the latter that has foliar base rounded, margins strongly toothed, smaller trichomes, acorn pointed, cup less warty; differs from the other “island scrub oak”, Q.parvula , which has pointed, glabrous leaves, and stalked acorns; – It looks like an intermediate between Q.berberidifolia and Q.douglasii ; – Hybridizes with Q.lobata (= x macdonaldii ) ;