Turban oak
Lithocarpus truncatus
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 6-20 m high. The small branches are covered with white scales in the grooves. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10-30 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. The veins underneath are red. The flowers are greenish-yellow. Male and female flowers are separate but on the same plant. Male flowers are in an open group and female flowers are in a spike. The fruiting branches are 10-12 cm long.
Where it is found
It grows on rocky outcrops in pine and oak forests or on grassy savannah.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
Starch is extracted from the nut and used as food.
Edible parts
Nuts
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cheng-meik-taw, Kywetsa-net, Thit-e