Holm oak, Encina

Description:

Male flower of Holm oak, a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. Holm oak is monoic, i.e., every individual has male and female flowers. It presents a tendency to dioicy, i.e. some individuals present more female flowers and some more male flowers. L. The male flowers, are catkins, produced in the spring, first erect, later hanging varying the colour from yellow to brown as they mature. The female flowers are small, isolated or in pairs, with a short stem. Blooming happens from march to may. Polen dispersion is mainly by the wind, but also by insects. The fruit is an acorn, which matures in about six months.

Habitat:

Mediterranean forest

Notes:

The wood is hard and tough, and has been used since ancient times for general construction purposes as pillars, tools, wagons, vessels, and wine casks. It used as well as firewood, or in charcoal manufacture. The Holm Oak is one of the top three trees used in the establishment of truffle orchards, or truffieres. Truffles grow in an ectomycorrhizal association with the tree's roots. The acorns, like those of the Cork Oak, are edible (toasted or as a flour), and are an important food for free-range pigs reared for ibérico ham production. Boiled in water, the acorns can also be used as a medicinal treatment for injury dis-infections.