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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Quercus grisea Liebm.
Gray oak, Mexican blue oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
USDA Symbol: qugr3
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Gray oaks are large shrubs or small trees reaching a maximum height of 30 ft. Deciduous, leathery, oval leaves are dull, blue-green, sometimes turning crimson in fall. Low clump-forming shrub or small tree, sometimes medium-sized, with grayish foliage.
Of greatest size in moist canyons, Gray Oak is most common as a shrub in New Mexico. It is easily seen in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. It is closely related to Arizona White Oak, a larger tree with larger leaves and sunken veins. Common and scientific names describe the color of the foliage.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Size Notes: Height to 50 ft., width to 40 ft.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , MayDistribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , TXNative Distribution: Mts. of s.w. & Trans-Pecos, TX, w. to AZ; also n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky, igneous or dolomitic slopes & canyons
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Igneous, Limestone-based, Acid-based, Sandy, Dry, igneous soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 766 - Dale Groom's Texas Gardening Guide (2002) Groom, D.Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Quercus grisea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Quercus grisea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Quercus grisea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-04-01Research By: TWC Staff
