Slow to medium rate of growth. Single trunked with thick corky bark. Leaves are somewhere in between Q. ilex and Q. agrifolia in size and shape. Margin is toothed with some spines. Color is medium to dark green.
Flowers are yellowish green in spring and are considered to be racemes.
Used as a specimen or street tree. Can be used 2nd exposure seacoast to lower desert. Drought tolerant once established. Tender to half hardy. Evergreen tree growing to a height of 60 ft with at least an equal spread in Southern California.