Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb.

China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, E.Russia, Sachaline Islands; 200 to 2500 m ; introduced in Europe in 1879;

20 m tall and more; often a shrub; crown ovoid, sometimes flattened;

6-15 x 4-6 cm ; sometimes marcescent; leathery; crowded at the end of the shoot; oboval or oboval-oblong; apex shortly attenuate, rounded; base abruptly narrowed, rounded or auricled; margin sinuate-toothed (5-10 broad teeth each side); dark green, shiny, hairless above; simple hairs beneath along veins; dark red at fall; 6-11 vein pairs, raised abaxially, at an angle of 45-50° with midrib; tertiary veins not evident; petiole short (3-8 mm), glabrescent;

May-June, with leaves; female catkin short, flowers with 3-5 stigmas; male catkin hairless, 5-8 cm long ; perianth with 6 lobes; the filament of the stamen often longer than the anther;

acorn 1.4-2.2 cm long, 1.1-1.6 cm in diameter; ovoid; yellowish; hairless except near apex; 1 to 3 together on a 2-10 mm long peduncle; enclosed 1/3 to 1/2 by cup; cup thick, with hairless, gibbose scales; maturing in 1 year;

hardy; prefers acidic soils; not very vigorous;

– A.Camus : tome 2, p. 133, n° 140; – Sub-genus Quercus, Section Quercus, Series Roburoid; – This species is variable and widespreading; numerous varieties have been named, that are actually geographic forms; i.e. the name Q.wutaishanica (see below);