Japanese evergreen red oak
Quercus acuta
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 20 m high. The leaves are opposite and narrow. They are oval and 7-20 cm long. The leaf stalk is 2-4 cm long. The male flowers are golden and like catkins. They hang from the tree and are 6-12 cm long. The female flowers are in the axils of the leaves. They point upwards and are in groups of 2-5. The fruit is an acorn. It is 2 cm long.
There are about (300) 600 Quercus species. Almost all acorns have high levels of tannic acid so should therefore be leached and roasted before eating. There are about 150 Quercus in tropical America.
Where it is found
Temperate. It needs a well drained soil. It can grow in sun or part shade. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zone 7.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, SE Asia, Taiwan
How it is used for food
The seeds have been processed into flour during times of food shortage. They are also used as a substitute for coffee beans.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Aka gashi, O gashi, Oba gashi, Pohon pasang jepang