Quercus coccifera
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2013) |
Kermes oak | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fagales |
Family: | Fagaceae |
Genus: | Quercus |
Subgenus: | Quercus subg. Cerris |
Section: | Quercus sect. Ilex
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Species: | Q. coccifera
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Binomial name | |
Quercus coccifera | |
Distribution map | |
Synonyms[2] | |
List
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Quercus coccifera, the kermes oak, is an
Description
Quercus coccifera is usually a
It blooms from March to May in weather still wet. It is easily propagated by seed, an acorn that lies dormant until germinated by wet weather. This might occur anywhere from late summer to late autumn or early winter (October, November or December) of the following year. The acorns are very bitter, varying greatly in size and shape from one specimen to another and tasting bad. Acorns can germinate even before falling from the plant, but Q. coccifera is also multiplied by root suckers and layering.
Gallery
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Trunk
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Leaves on branch
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Leaves
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Close-up of leaves
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Acorns
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Kermes oak in Kythera.
Taxonomy
Quercus coccifera
Quercus coccifera was first described by
Quercus calliprinos
Quercus calliprinos, the 'Palestinian oak', of the eastern Mediterranean, has been distinguished from the kermes oak by its larger size (more often a tree, up to 18 m) and larger acorns over 2 cm diameter.[citation needed] In Israel it is called the 'common oak' (Hebrew: אלון מצוי, IPA: [a'lon ma'tsuj]) or the 'Palestine oak'.[citation needed] As of February 2023[update], Plants of the World Online regards it as a synonym of Quercus coccifera.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Quercus coccifera is an important Mediterranean
, etc.It is located throughout the region around the
The species grows on dry, sunny slopes. It supports both subhumid climates with dry summers or semi-desert climates with
Ecology
Populations typically occur in desert regions without any inhabited nucleus because crops are not economically profitable and the climate becomes progressively more continental and drier and therefore end in extreme temperatures accompanied by slow-growing dwarf juniper species. It is the last species of genus Quercus to disappear when rainfall is lacking. Their ecological importance is as a habitat and food source in these areas (they have edible acorns, although with a very bitter taste) for nesting birds, foxes, rodents and wild boars. It forms thickets, thorny and dense, some recorded as tall as 5 m. It is sometimes accompanied by other plant species of the same size and climber plants such as asparagus or Mediterranean smilax.
Q. coccifera is associated with several asparagus species,
Kermes oaks have become scarce due to their replacement in wet zones by larger species such as Holm oak. It has also suffered from extensive culling for use as charcoal. It is the only food and shelter for wildlife in some areas, such as the
It can survive heavy sheep and goat grazing for a long time as a ground carpet a few cm high, and will grow higher as a bush or a tree according to how much the grazing pressure is slackened.
Conservation
It is included as an endangered species in the Red Book of Bulgaria.[9]
Notable specimens
In Cyprus village of Kalopanagiotis, the tallest tree of this species has grown to a height of 17 meters. The tree is approximately 700 years old.
See also
References
- doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T194078A2296598.en. Retrieved 25 January 2024.)
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ a b c d "Quercus coccifera L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ISBN 978-3-319-69099-5, retrieved 2022-11-16
- ISBN 0-595-22143-2.
- ^ "Cochineal".
- ^ "Important bird areas fact sheet: Jabal al Akhdar". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
- ^ "chaparral". Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
- . Retrieved 2023-02-18.
- ^ "Quercus coccifera". Red Book of Bulgaria, vol. 1. Retrieved 19 January 2017.