English oak

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• English oak
• European oak
• pedunculate oak
• Common Oak

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fagales, it is classified under the family Fagaceae and the genus Quercus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions of Northern Europe. In the western reaches of the continent, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the Scandinavian Peninsula, its presence is established in both Norway and Finland. Additionally, the species is commonly documented within the borders of Denmark. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's strong affinity for northern temperate climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Quercus robur is primarily defined by its preference for forest habitats, where it plays a fundamental role in the structure and biodiversity of the ecosystem. This species is capable of thriving across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying diverse topographical niches. Its elevational range extends from a minimum of 150 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL, allowing it to adapt to various climatic conditions found from lowland regions to montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Quercus robur is characterized by its long-lived, perennial nature, with individual specimens capable of reaching a substantial lifespan of approximately 500 years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody branches, a structural strategy that defines its growth habit. Throughout its life cycle, it exhibits a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually as part of its seasonal biological rhythm. This perennial lifecycle allows the species to establish a dominant presence in its ecosystem, transitioning through various developmental stages over several centuries of growth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

500

Morphology

The morphology of Quercus robur is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically categorized as a large tree. It is a self-supporting organism that does not function as a climber or a liana, and it grows as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Being a terrestrial plant, it thrives in land-based environments. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 50 meters, maintaining a mean height of approximately 30 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quercus robur is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource management. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil nutrients and does not possess nitrogen-fixing capabilities. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, featuring an elliptic form with a mean leaf size of approximately 20.73533 cm². The leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while the width varies from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 6 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 148.43 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass distribution relative to its surface area. The structural integrity of its woody components is supported by a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 704.5 mg/cm³.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf size mean:

20.73533 cm²

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

148.43 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

704.5 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quercus robur is characterized by a sexual process that is monoecious in nature, though self-fertilization is notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, featuring green flowers arranged in catkins (inflorescences) that range in length from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. The pollination syndrome is primarily abiotic, relying on the wind to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as an achene (commonly known as an acorn). These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 2.125 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 2.8 cm) and a mean width of 2.75 cm (ranging from 0.7 cm to 3.5 cm). The seeds contained within the fruit have a consistent mean length of 20 mm and a mean mass of approximately 3.43 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 1.44 g to a maximum of 5 g. Dispersal is categorized as autochorous. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

2.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.125 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

3.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence :

catkin

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length mean:

20 mm

Seed mass max:

5 g

Seed mass mean:

3.432486625 g

Seed mass min:

1.44495 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Quercus robur has 28 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, pectin, 3-friedelanone, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. PloS one

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

pectin

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC plant biology

3-friedelanone

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROPHYLL

1. BMC plant biology

Carotenoid

1. BMC plant biology

Ellagitannin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Quercus robur has 243 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Quercus robur has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, atretic follicles, bovine mastitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations