Downy oak, White Oak
Quercus pubescens
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree. It grows 20 m tall. It is a broadly spreading oak tree. The bark is dark grey and deeply furrowed. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10 cm long by 5 cm wide. They have rounded lobes. The lobes end in a small sharp point. The leaves are dark grey-green above and downy underneath. The male and female flowers occur separately on the same plant. The male flowers are easier to see in yellow-green drooping catkins. The fruit is an acorn 4 cm long. It is one third enclosed in a cup. The cup is covered in hairy scales.
There are about 600 Quercus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate or Mediterranean plant. It is native to W. Asia and C. and S. Europe. It grows in dry places in hills. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andorra, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Croatia, Europe, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, San Marino, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The acorns are processed for flour used to make bread and other dishes. They are roasted and eaten. The leaves are put in barrelled cucumbers as a spice.
Edible parts
Seeds, acorn, nuts
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Hrast medunac, Ispir mesesi, Magyal, Mese, Zir