Quercus congesta C.Presl.

Sardinia; Sicily; S Italy; S France;

5-8.5 x 3-5 cm; deciduous; elliptical to oblong; base subcordate; 5-8 pairs of regular, rounded lobes, sometimes lobulate and mucronate; dull adaxially; grey green pubescent beneath; tertiary veins evident; petiole 4-14 mm long;

male flower with 8-9 stamens longer than the perianth; female catkin 1-5 cm long, bearing 3-8 flowers;

acorn 2-3 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide; on a 1-4 cm long stalk, 1 to 5 together; cup cyathiform, 10-15 mm in diameter, with flat scales slightly appressed, covering 1/4 of nut;

not quite hardy (zone 7-8);

– Sub-genus Quercus, Section Quercus, Series Roburoid; – Closely related to Q.pubescens , bur for Govaerts (and others) it is a true species.