Fagaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Quercus crassifolia

Edibility

2/5

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 crassifolia is a deciduous to semi-deciduous shrub growing 2 - 3 metres tall, or a tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole can be 100cm in diameter[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. , 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 tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. Quercus crassifolia grows widely throughout the montane regions of Mexico and Guatemala, and is typically abundant in cloud forests and pine-oak forests, between elevations of 600 - 3,000 metres across its range. Despite threats from deforestation and climate change, this species remains abundant with good regeneration. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeC. America - Guatemala, north to northern Mexico

HabitatCloud forests and pine-oak forests; at elevations from 600 - 3,000 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Moist to dry, mountain forest, often or usually associated with pines and often forming extensive forests; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,600 metres[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].