Manzanita Mountain Trail

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis)

Quercus chrysolepis (canyon live oak)

Quercus chrysolepis, commonly termed canyon live oak, canyon oak or golden cup oak, is a species of evergreen oak that is found in the southwestern part of North America, notably in the California Coast Ranges. This tree is often found near creeks and drainage swales growing in moist cool microhabitats. Its leaves are a glossy dark green on the upper surface with prominent spines; a further rapid identification arises from the leaves of canyon live oak being geometrically flat. They are often sympatric with Quercus agrifolia and several other oak species. Fossil data supports a much wider distribution throughout the western United States during the early Holocene period.

Source: Wikipedia