Kermes Oak

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Kermes Oak

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Quercus coccifera var. echinata
• Quercus coccifera var. calliprinos
• Quercus calliprinos var. brachybalanos
• Scolodrys rigida
• Quercus coccifera var. rigida
• Quercus coccifera f. macrocarpa
• Quercus calliprinos var. dipsacina
• Quercus coccifera subsp. calliprinos
• Quercus coccifera var. stenocarpa
• Quercus calliprinos var. subglobosa
• Quercus calliprinos var. puberula
• Quercus sibthorpii
• Quercus palaestina
• Quercus rigida
• Quercus fenzlii
• Quercus calliprinos
• Quercus brachybalanos
• Quercus pseudorigida
• Quercus coccifera var. microphylla
• Quercus coccifera subsp. cryptocarpa
• Quercus coccifera var. microcarpa
• Quercus coccifera var. adpressa
• Quercus coccifera f. inclusa
• Quercus coccifera f. piriformis
• Quercus coccifera subsp. kryptocarpa
• Quercus coccifera f. sphaerocarpa
• Quercus coccifera var. umbrellifera
• Quercus coccifera f. echinata
• Quercus coccifera var. vera
• Quercus coccifera var. macrocarpa
• Quercus coccifera f. microphylla
• Quercus coccifera var. ortholepis
• Quercus coccifera var. palaestina
• Quercus coccifera subsp. palaestina
• Quercus coccifera f. puberula
• Quercus coccifera var. refracta
• Quercus coccifera f. brevicupulata
• Quercus coccifera var. corcyrensis
• Quercus coccifera f. crassicupulata
• Quercus coccifera f. dolichocarpa
• Quercus coccifera var. dolichocarpa
• Quercus coccifera f. exserta
• Quercus coccifera var. integrifolia
• Quercus chainolepis
• Quercus consobrina
• Quercus dipsacina
• Quercus recurvans
• Quercus calliprinos var. arcuata
• Quercus calliprinos var. consobrina
• Quercus calliprinos var. dispar
• Quercus calliprinos var. eigii
• Quercus calliprinos var. eucalliprinos
• Quercus calliprinos var. fenzlii
• Quercus calliprinos var. inops
• Quercus calliprinos var. integrifolia
• Quercus calliprinos var. leptolepis
• Quercus calliprinos var. pachybalanos
• Quercus calliprinos var. palaestina
• Quercus calliprinos var. recurvans
• Quercus calliprinos var. rigida
• Quercus calliprinos var. subaquifolia
• Quercus calliprinos var. valida
• Quercus arcuata
• Quercus pentadactyla
• Quercus obtecta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Fagales and the family Fagaceae, specifically falling into the genus Quercus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions within Southwestern Europe. Its presence is notably documented in the Balearic Islands, where it thrives in specific local habitats. Additionally, the species can be found growing in parts of France and along the coastlines of Portugal. It is also well-established in the Mediterranean landscapes of Sardinia. Finally, significant populations are widely spread throughout the diverse terrains of Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Quercus coccifera is characterized by its ability to thrive in specific Mediterranean-type environments, typically occupying rugged, rocky terrains and shrublands. It is predominantly found within a specific elevational range, with an observed elevational range mean of 219 m AMSL, indicating its preference for lower to mid-altitude slopes. The species is highly adapted to semi-arid conditions, often forming dense sclerophyllous communities that are resilient to seasonal droughts and periodic disturbances such as wildfire. Its distribution is closely linked to well-drained soils and sunlight-exposed landscapes, where it plays a foundational role in stabilizing soil and providing microhabitats for diverse Mediterranean flora and fauna.

Elevational range mean:

219 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Quercus coccifera is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence within its ecosystem. In terms of its growth habit and structural strategy, it functions as a nanophanerophyte, maintaining its woody stems at a very low height close to the ground surface. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing life form enables the species to endure various environmental stressors while maintaining a stable vegetative structure over time.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Quercus coccifera is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structure. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and maintains a primarily terrestrial habitat. The plant reaches a significant stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 18 meters. As a self-supporting woody species, it does not exhibit climbing or liana-like tendencies, instead establishing a stable, upright presence in its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quercus coccifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among woody Mediterranean species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under temperate conditions. In terms of its leaf architecture and resource acquisition strategy, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 51.1 cm²/g, reflecting a structural adaptation that balances leaf thickness and mass against its surface area for light interception and gas exchange.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

51.1 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quercus coccifera is characterized by specific morphological and ecological traits associated with its seed and fruit development. The plant produces dry fruits, which are typical for this species, and its seeds exhibit a notable range in mass, with values spanning from a minimum of 0.4266 g to a maximum of 3.058 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 3.6489 g. Regarding its dispersal mechanisms, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement of its seeds. This reproductive strategy is part of a broader ecological framework that can include various dispersal modes such as anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, or unspecialized methods, though the primary driver for its seed distribution is zoochory.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

3.058 g

Seed mass mean:

3.6489 g

Seed mass min:

0.4266 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Quercus coccifera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Leaf

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Quercus coccifera has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROFORM, methanol, n-Hexane.

CHLOROFORM

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

methanol

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

n-Hexane

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Quercus coccifera has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Medicinal Uses

Quercus coccifera has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, cancer, eczema, gastric ulcers, insect stings.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations