Quercus pontica

Quercus pontica is a deciduous small tree or large shrub growing to tall, with a trunk up to in diameter and sparse, stout shoots. Its bark is greyish to purple-brown, smooth on young trees but becoming rough later in its life. Its leaves grow to long, rarely 35 cm, and 4–15 cm across. They are ovate, and have 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. ==Taxonomy==

The specific epithet pontica, refers to the Latin term for Pontus, a historical region near the Black Sea where the tree is found. It is not to be confused with the Pontine Marshes outside Rome. Quercus pontica is placed in section Ponticae. ==Cultivation==

It is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in northern Europe. ==References==

• Rushforth, K. D. Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins. • Coombes, A. J. Trees. Eyewitness Handbooks.