Kermes oak

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Kermes oak
Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), fruits

Kermes oak ( Quercus coccifera ), fruits

Systematics
Order : Beech-like (Fagales)
Family : Beech family (Fagaceae)
Genre : Oak trees ( Quercus )
Subgenus : Quercus
Section : Cerris
Type : Kermes oak
Scientific name
Quercus coccifera
L.

The Kermes Oak or Stech Oak ( Quercus coccifera L. , Syn .: Quercus pseudococcifera Desf. , Quercus calliprinos Webb ) is an evergreen oak ( Quercus ) that is widespread in the Mediterranean region and is naturally located in sunny, dry locations.

description

The Kermes oak is an evergreen shrub and usually reaches heights of about 3 meters. It also grows tree-shaped, especially in the eastern Mediterranean region, and can then reach heights of up to 12 meters. This form is sometimes also separated as a separate species ( Quercus calliprinos Webb.). The bark is light gray and smooth.

The older foliage leaves are rigid, leathery, 1 to 5 cm long, toothed with thorns, gray-tomentose on the underside and shiny dark green on the top. The leaf shape is broadly ovate to elongated. The leaf base is heart-shaped or rounded. The leaf veins protrude from the top of the leaf, not the bottom.

The small flowers are unisexual. The male flowers are grouped in hanging inflorescences . The fruit cups of the up to 3 cm large fruits are covered with protruding, short, thorn-tipped scales.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 24.

  • leaves

  • Acorns on the bush

  • Acorns and fruit cups

Occurrence

The Kermes oak occurs in the entire Mediterranean area, but is absent in central and northern Italy and in Corsica.

It grows in garigues and maquis as well as in the undergrowth of light forests and prefers limestone soils. It is associated with the black pine and the stinking juniper .

use

The Kermes oak is a supplier of tannins. It is also the host plant of the kermes' scale insect ( Kermes ilicis ( Linnaeus )), from which the red dye Kermes was previously obtained.

The acorns are used. For example, you can use it to roast a coffee substitute. The galls are used medicinally.

literature

  • Peter Schütt , Hans Joachim Schuck, Bernd Stimm (eds.): Lexicon of tree and shrub species. The standard work of forest botany. Morphology, pathology, ecology and systematics of important tree and shrub species . Nikol, Hamburg 2002, ISBN 3-933203-53-8 (reprint from 1992).
  • Ingrid Schönfelder, Peter Schönfelder : The cosmos Mediterranean flora. Over 500 Mediterranean plants in color photos (=  Kosmos nature guide ). Franckh, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-440-05300-8 (1st / 2nd edition; 1984/1990).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Quercus coccifera at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
  2. ↑ a b Quercus coccifera at Plants For A Future (English)

Web links

Commons : Kermes Oak ( Quercus coccifera )  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files