Fauna
Plant

Coast Scrub Oak

Quercus dumosa

Also known as Nuttall's Scrub Oak, Coastal Sage Scrub Oak

Coast scrub oaks form dense, tangled copses along wind-exposed coastal bluffs and foothills of southern California and Baja California. These evergreen shrubs feature small, dark green leaves with sharp spiny teeth and pale, hair-lined undersides that trap moisture. Severe coastal overdevelopment and altering wildfire frequencies pose intense threats to their remaining fragmented populations.

CoastalChaparralShrub
Coast Scrub Oak reference1 / 7
(c) Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Mule Deer
  • Acorn Weevils
  • California Scrub-Jay
ThreatsUrban development, habitat fragmentation, frequent wildfires
HabitatsCoastal sage scrub, chaparral, coastal bluffs
Life span100–200+ years
Classification
  1. FamilyFagaceae
  2. SpeciesQuercus dumosa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for a low, dense oak shrub under 3 meters tall with spiny leaves and slender pointed acorns.
Support conservation
Stay on designated trails to avoid crushing fragile seedlings and soil in coastal reserves.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Inspection: Check the underside of small leaves for tiny, tangled hair tufts using a hand lens.
  • Habitat Spotting: Look for dense shrub thickets on coastal slopes influenced by ocean fog.
  • Respect Native Habitat: Avoid trampling fragile coastal chaparral communities where this oak persists.
Related species
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