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Fagaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Quercus obtusata

Quercus obtusata

Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant contain tannins. Whilst tannins are found in many foods, and have a range of medicinal uses. They are usually only present in low concentrations. In some foods made from oaks (particularly the seeds), the tannin content can be quite high unless the food is treated to reduce tannin content. Tannins are only of low toxicity and, because of their bitter taste and astringency, are unlikely to be eaten in large quantities. However, if they are taken in excess, they can cause stomach pains; constipation followed by bloody diarrhoea: excessive thirst; and excessive urination[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ].

Botanical Description

Quercus obtusata is a deciduous tree that can grow from 6 - 20 metres tall. The bole can be up 40 - 60cm in diameter[ 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. , 1225 Title Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 89 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis. Year 2002 ISBN 0026-6493 Description A botanical journal, it includes a treatment of the oaks of Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for mainly local use as a medicine and source of materials, possibly also as a food. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeSouthern N. America - central and southern Mexico
HabitatPine-oak forest, mesophytic montane forest and xerophytic scrub, frequently in disturbed oak woodlands; at elevations from 620 - 2,850 metres[ 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. , 1225 Title Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 89 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis. Year 2002 ISBN 0026-6493 Description A botanical journal, it includes a treatment of the oaks of Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet ].