Quercus phellos

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Quercus phellos, exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several regions of the United States. In the North-Central portion of the country, it can be found growing in Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Its presence also extends into the Northeastern United States, where it is documented in New York. Furthermore, the species is known to inhabit the coastal and inland areas of New Jersey. Collectively, these locations demonstrate a broad distribution spanning from the central plains to the eastern seaboard.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Quercus phellos is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through many growing seasons and establish a long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that its primary biomass remains elevated, protecting it from various ground-level environmental stressors throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Quercus phellos is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 28.715 meters. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, which supports its significant vertical stature and overall tree-like architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

28.715 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quercus phellos is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and gas exchange efficiency. As a C3 plant, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs via the enzyme RuBisCO, resulting in the direct production of a three-carbon molecule, 3-phosphoglycerate, within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant relies on high concentrations of CO2 and moderate temperatures to minimize photorespiration, a process where RuBisCO reacts with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide. Consequently, its physiological adaptations are optimized for environments where water availability and light intensity support the standard Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. This reliance on the C3 pathway influences its transpiration rates and stomatal conductance, shaping its overall energy acquisition and resource management strategies.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quercus phellos is characterized by the production of dry fruits containing seeds with specific physical properties. The seeds exhibit a consistent volume of 1000 mm³, as both the minimum and maximum recorded values, with a mean volume of 1000 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds range from a minimum of 0.71429 g to a maximum of 0.984 g, maintaining an average seed mass of approximately 0.922907777666667 g. The dispersal syndrome for this species is classified as zoochorous, meaning it relies on animals for the spread of its progeny, though it may also interact with other mechanisms such as anemochory, autochory, hydrochory, or unspecialized dispersal methods.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.984 g

Seed mass mean:

0.922907777666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.71429 g

Seed volume max:

1000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Quercus phellos has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Ash, BARIUM, BORON, CADMIUM.

ALUMINUM

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Ash

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BARIUM

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BORON

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CADMIUM

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CALCIUM

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CHROMIUM

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COBALT

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COPPER

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FLUORINE

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Activities

Quercus phellos has 208 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Acnegenic, Amphiglycemic?, Analgesic.

ACE-Inhibitor

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AP-1-Inhibitor

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Acnegenic

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Amphiglycemic?

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Analgesic

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Androgenic

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Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

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Anorexic

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AntiAGE

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AntiBPH

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