Siri, Phalat
Quercus lineata
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. It can have prop roots and buttresses. The leaves are 5-16 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. There are some wavy teeth near the tip. They are hairy underneath. The acorns are small and cone shaped. They are 17-25 mm long by 15-23 mm wide. They are 2/3 enclosed by the cup.
There are about 600 Quercus species.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It is damaged by frost. It grows between 1,800-2,700 m above sea level in the Himalayas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand
How it is used for food
The seeds or nuts are cooked and can be dried and ground into a powder and then used for thickening stews or mixed with cereals for bread. The bitter tannins are washed out in running water. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts, shoots - tea, latex - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Phalant, Phalanth, Phalat, Siri-kung, Thinya-gyi
Synonyms
Several