- Quercus coccifera
Taxobox
name = Kermes Oak
image_width = 240px
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fagales
familia =Fagaceae
genus = "Quercus"
sectio = "Cerris"
species = "Q. coccifera"
binomial = "Quercus coccifera"
binomial_authority = L.The Kermes Oak ("Quercus coccifera") is an
oak in the Turkey oak section "Quercus" sect. "Cerris". It is native to the westernMediterranean region , fromMorocco andPortugal east toGreece .It is a large
shrub , rarely a smalltree , reaching 1-6 m tall (rarely to 10 m) and 50 cm trunk diameter. It isevergreen , with spiny-serrated leaves 1.5-4 cm long and 1-3 cm broad. Theacorn s are 2-3 cm long and 1.5-2 cm diameter when mature about 18 months after pollination. They are held in a cup covered in dense, elongated, reflexed scales.The Kermes Oak is closely related to the
Palestine Oak ("Q. calliprinos") of the eastern Mediterranean, with some botanists including the latter in Kermes Oak as asubspecies or variety. The Palestine Oak is distinguished from it by its larger size (more often a tree, up to 18 m) and larger acorns over 2 cm diameter.Uses
The Kermes Oak was historically important as the food plant of the Kermes insect "
Kermes ilicis ", from which a reddye was obtained.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.