Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides [Snow Camp]

Another of Cistus' growing collection of the small form of the tan oak, endemic to southern OR. Siskiyou Mountains, reach to only 4 ft or so in habitat, as dense shrubs of blue-green leaves. In this form, the new growth, furry and tinted pink or golden and leaf undersides particularly white. Very striking. The flowers look like those of a chestnut, upheld fuzzy cream-colored inflorescences and golden brown “acorns” cupped in golden bristles. Tough, native mostly to serpentine soil regions, they seem at home anywhere on the West Coast with lean soil and away from summer garden water. Not a plant for humid summer climates. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7 possibly 6.

Formerly categorized as Lithocarpus, this species is now under genus Notholithocarpus.

DWARF TAN OAK

Fagaceae