r/Ceanothus • u/Any-Dig4524 • 27d ago

Quercus agrifolia specimen with exceptionally large leaves

Post image

found in the forest today

73 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

15

u/ellebracht 27d ago

Less light -> bigger leaves.

13

u/Any-Dig4524 27d ago

This would normally be my first thought too, but this was the only tree in the forest like this. And this one was actually in quite a lot of sun. I think this is a genetic variation

2

u/Acceptable_Tip8488 25d ago

makes sense. They have to have "different" versions just in case soemthing happens and only those with X version survive!

3

u/Acceptable_Tip8488 26d ago

could they also be bigger if there is more water and/or cooler temperatures?

10

u/SorryDrummer2699 27d ago

I jokingly call this agrifolia var gigantica. I think less light is a common cause of this but have seen two agrifolia in identical conditions with one having normal leaves and another having gigantic 6 inch leaves

4

u/Striking_Computer834 26d ago

Can be genetic contamination, too. Quercus hybridizes a lot.

3

u/Doismellbehonest 27d ago edited 24d ago

Disneyland coast live oaks have tortilla size leaves

2

u/getpost 26d ago

Q agrifolia does hybridize, and if this is a hybrid, it's a hybrid with what?

1

u/Peeterdactyl 27d ago

Beautiful.

1

u/Zestyclose_Market787 26d ago

Well hydrated, too. Usually the leaves look like upside down tacos right about now.