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Plant Profile

Hinckley's Oak (Quercus hinckleyi)

The small, waxy leaves of this species have spiny tips on them. Also, notice the acorn in amongst them. Photo Credit: San Antonio Botanical Garden

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Threatened
Family: Fagaceae
State: MX, TX
Nature Serve ID: 152274
Lifeform: Shrub
Categories of Interest: Oaks
Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987

Description:

This unique oak is an attractive evergreen shrub forms thickets about 4 feet tall where it occurs. Its grayish-green, holly-like leaves give it a smoky appearance from a distance. It is found growing in the Chihuahuan desert on dry slopes at a 4500 foot elevation (Correll and Johnston 1996). Unlike most of our rare and endangered plants in Texas, the hinckley oak is rare due mostly to changes in climatic conditions, rather than because of habitat destruction (Miller and Powell 1982). The presence of acorns in fossils from the area where Hinckley's oak occurs indicates that this plant was much more common 10,000 years ago, when the climate of western Texas was wetter. (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002; WWF 1990)

Where is Hinckley's Oak (Quercus hinckleyi) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Found at middle elevations in the Chihuahuan Desert scrub vegetation. It is found growing on dry limestone slopes at around 1,370 meters (4,500 ft) in elevation in habitat that receives an average of 25 cm (10 inches) of rain per year. (WWF 1990)

Distribution:

Found in western Texas in Brewster and Presidio Counties. (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002)

States & Provinces:

Hinckley's Oak can be found in Mexico, Texas

Which CPC Partners conserve Hinckley's Oak (Quercus hinckleyi)?

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Conservation Actions

Jonathan Flickinger

10/13/2023

There are two individuals of Hinckley’s oak in cultivation at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. A wild population was visited in 2023.

Tina Stanley

08/29/2022

As of August 2022, San Antonio Botanical Garden has collected seed from this species in the wild. San Antonio Botanical Garden also holds this species in living collection and has conducted propagation research.

10/08/2020

Sharon Weyerts, from Sul Ross State University, has studied the genetic, biochemical, and reproductive biology of this species. (Weyerts 1992)

10/08/2020

San Antonio Botanical Garden has collected acorns from the wild and propagated them.

10/08/2020

San Antonio Botanical Garden maintains and monitors plants in test plot and on the grounds.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Two population centers in west Texas with fewer than 10 populations. Also known from Mexico.

Cindy Barrett

01/01/2010

Expansion of a nearby highway may threaten one population. Increased grazing pressure by cattle, who cannot reach the known populations, or the introduction of goats to the grazing regimen. Goats would be able to reach and graze upon this species. P

Cindy Barrett

01/01/2010

Approximately ten populations are known from two counties in Texas (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002).

Cindy Barrett

01/01/2010

San Antonio Botanical Garden has collected acorns from the wild and propagated them. Sharon Weyerts, from Sul Ross State University, has studied the genetic, biochemical, and reproductive biology of this species. (Weyerts 1992)

Cindy Barrett

01/01/2010

San Antonio Botanical Garden maintains and monitors plants in test plot and on the grounds. Most of the known populations now occur in Big Bend Ranch State Park, under the management of Texas Parks and Wildlife. (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002)

Cindy Barrett

01/01/2010

Population biology and population ecology research needed (USFWS 1992)