Pontine Oak
| Armenian Oak | |
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| Species: | Q. pontica
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| Quercus pontica | |
The Pontine Oak (Quercus pontica) or Armenian Oak is a species of oak native to the western Caucasus mountains and northeastern Turkey, where it grows at altitudes of 1,300-2,100 m.
It is a deciduous small tree or large shrub growing to 6-10 m tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm diameter and sparse, stout shoots. Its bark is greyish to purple-brown, smooth on young trees but becoming rough later in its life. Its leaves grow to 10-20 cm long (rarely 35 cm) and 4-15 cm across, ovate, with a serrated margin with numerous small, pointed teeth. The leaves are covered in hairs when they are young, but become smoother as they age. They become bright green later in life and turn yellow brown in autumn. The flowers are catkins, the male catkins 5-20 cm long. The fruit is a large acorn 2.5-4 cm long, produced in clusters of 2-5 together.
It is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in northern Europe.
References
- Ornamental Plants from Russia: Quercus pontica
- Rushforth, K. D. Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins.
- Coombes, A. J. Trees. Eyewitness Handbooks.