Turkey Oak, Bitter oak, Mossy-cupped oak, Cerro, Italian oak, European Turkey oak
Quercus cerris
Family: Fagaceae
What it is like
A large tree which loses its leaves. It grows to 38 m high. It has a large broad crown. The bark is cracked and rough. The leaves are alternate. They have deeply cut lobes. They are rough, dark green and shiny on top. There are leafy stipules around the leaf base. The flowers are separately male and female. The male flowers hang in dense bunches and the female flowers are small. The acorns are produced in very mossy cups.
There are about 600 Quercus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to central and southern Europe. They grow well on chalky soils. It can tolerate hot climates. It can tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Arboretum Tasmania. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Europe, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Mediterranean, San Marino, Slovenia, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The nuts are bitter. They can be leached, ground into flour and made into bread. They are used to make coffee. A coccus insect causes the plant to exude a sweet fluid which hardens and this is dipped in water to make a syrupy drink. The syrup can be boiled down or used for sweetening food. The fruit are fried and eaten. They are used as a coffee substitute after leaching and roasting. The leaves are put into stored cucumbers as a spice.
Edible parts
Manna, seeds, sap, nut, nuts - coffee
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seeds are sown when young and fresh.
It is fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Cserelfa, Cserfa, Ghianda, Hrast cer, Mese