It was taxonomically combined with Quercus wislizeni until resurrected as a separate species by Kevin Nixon in 1980.

Muller as Q. shrevei) is Palo Colorado Canyon in Monterey County.

Mainland Q. parvula is commonly found with or near Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood), and often near Q. agrifolia var.

Q. parvula differs ecologically from Q. wislizeni in the following ways:[8] Quercus parvula is theoretically capable of hybridizing with all of the other California red oaks except the higher elevation southern California Quercus agrifolia var.

However Q. parvula's generally later flowering time (April–May versus February–April for Q. kelloggii, Q. wislizeni and Q. agrifolia) may limit genetic exchange with other Lobatae.