Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Native Plant Society of Texas

Home » Native Plants » Native Plant Database » Quercus grisea

Gray Oak

Quercus grisea

Other common name(s):

Scrub Oak, Shin Oak

Family:

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Photo credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts

Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

40

to

50

ft.

Spread

30

to

40

ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Limestone, Acid, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nuts

Wildlife Benefit

Birds

Maintenance

Low maintenance.

Comments

Gray oaks are large shrubs or small trees. Its leathery, oval leaves are dull, blue-green to gray, sparsely hairy, sometimes turning crimson in fall. Flowers occur in catkins. Acorns are solitary or in clusters of 2-3. The acorn cap woolly within, scales with thickened bases.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 321. 3) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=12132&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Quercus+grisea&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUGR3, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19347#null

Download / Print

Download a 1 page PDF file for this plant, suitable for sharing, printing, and plant sales. Includes an ecoregion map, and a QR code back to this page.

Downloading PDFs only works on desktop browsers

Favorites

You can favorite this plant and others and maintain a list of your favorite native plants below. You can also unfavorite a plant and clear your list. Click on a plant to go to it.

No Favorites

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Become a Member

Become an important part of a statewide community with over 4,000 members, who are united in our mission to promote Texas native plants!

Stay Informed

To keep up with what’s new at the Native Plant Society of Texas, subscribe to the state office email list. We won’t share your information with anyone.

Native Plant Society of Texas is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization This website and all content Copyright © Native Plant Society of Texas. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact the Webmaster.