Quercus × alvordiana explained

Quercus × alvordiana, the Alvord oak, is a hybrid oak in the genus Quercus. It has been reported to be a hybrid between Quercus douglasii and Quercus turbinella,[1] or between Q. douglasii and Quercus john-tuckeri,[2] [3] which was formerly considered to be a variety of Q. turbinella.[4]

Distribution

This is the most common hybrid of Q. douglasii. It is endemic to California, where it occurs in the Southern Inner California Coast Ranges and western Transverse Ranges.[5]

Description

Quercus × alvordiana is a shrub or tree under 3m (10feet) tall which may be evergreen or deciduous.

The leaves are up to 5 centimeters long, a dull blue to gray-green on top and paler green on the undersides. The leaf blades have toothed edges and some have pointed tips.

The acorn is narrow in shape and up to 4 centimeters long, with a cup up to 1.6 centimeters wide.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUAL2 Quercus × alvordiana.
  2. Fryer, J. L. 2007. Quercus douglasii. In: Fire Effects Information System. USDA FS, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  3. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=40533 Quercus × alvordiana.
  4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233501022 Quercus douglasii.
  5. Hogan, C. M. 2008. Blue Oak, Quercus douglasii. GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg.