California Scrub Oak (Quercus durata)

Family: Fagaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Quercus durata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. — It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread.; The seed, which is up to 35mm long and 15mm wide, contains bitter tannins.; These can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost.; Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder.

Habitat & North American Range

Coastal ranges. The type species is found on serpentine soils at 150-1500 m, whilst var gabrielensis is found in chaparral on dry, exposed, loose slopes in nonserpentine soils at 450 - 1000 m. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)