Quercus lusitanica, commonly known as Gall Oak, Lusitanian Oak, or Dyer’s Oak, is an evergreen shrub native to Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. It typically grows as a low, spreading bush, often with a creeping habit, and rarely exceeds 7 feet in height. This species is adapted to the Mediterranean climate and is often found in maquis and garigue habitats, as well as on rocky slopes and in open woodlands where it forms part of the understory. It thrives in sandy or gravelly soils and can be found at elevations up to 1969 feet.

The Gall Oak is notable for its ability to spread through suckers, forming dense thickets. It produces distinctive galls on its leaves and stems as a result of infestation by the gall wasp Cynips gallae tinctoriae, which are harvested commercially for use in dyes. The plant is valued for its hardiness and low maintenance in suitable climates, and it can be used for ground cover or as part of a mixed shrubbery in gardens. It requires well-drained soils, tolerates drought once established, and prefers full sun to partial shade. While it has no major disease problems, it is susceptible to damage from fires and overgrazing by ungulates. In cultivation, it is rarely used outside of its native range, and there is a need for conservation efforts in its natural habitat due to threats from fires, silviculture, and grazing.CC BY-SA 4.0