Section Mesobalanus Higher classification Oak | Genus Quercus Scientific name Quercus pontica Rank Species | |
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Similar Oak, Quercus macranthera, Quercus libani, Quercus arkansana, Quercus rysophylla | ||
Quercus pontica armenian oak
Quercus pontica, the Pontine oak or Armenian oak, is a species of oak native to the western Caucasus mountains of Georgia and northeastern Turkey and Armenia, where it grows at altitudes of 1,300-2,100 m.
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Description
Quercus pontica is a deciduous small tree or large shrub growing to 6-10 m tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm diameter and sparse, stout shoots. Its bark is grayish to purple-brown, smooth on young trees but becoming rough later in its life. Its leaves grow to 10-20 cm long (rarely 35 cm) and 4-15 cm across, ovate, with a serrated margin with numerous small, pointed teeth. The leaves are covered in hairs when they are young, but become smoother as they age. They become bright green later in life and turn yellow brown in autumn. The flowers are catkins, the male catkins 5-20 cm long. The fruit is a large acorn 2.5-4 cm long, produced in clusters of 2-5 together.
Cultivation
It is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in northern Europe.
