Quercus leucotrichophora

Quercus leucotrichophora is a tree belonging to Family Fagaceae; commonly known as Banjh oak, Banj oak (Uttarakhand) and Ban oak (Himachal). In Nepal, it is known as Banjhi, Rainj, Khasarant, Tikhe bhanjh in Standard Nepali and Sulsing in Tamang language. Some authors named it as Quercus incana Roxburgh.[2]

Quercus leucotrichophora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Subgenus: Quercus subg. Quercus
Section: Quercus sect. Quercus
Species:
Q. leucotrichophora
Binomial name
Quercus leucotrichophora

Description

Quercus leucotrichophora is an evergreen tree bearing stalked, ovate to lancolate, acuminate, serrate, leathery, and dark green leaves which are glabrous above and densely white or gray pubescent beneath. Male flowers are slender and drooping spikes. Female spikes are sessile and axillary. An acorn is solitary.[2]

Phenology and reproduction

Quercus leucotrichophora flowers in April to May and fruits in December. Naturally, it regenerates via seeds.[2]

Ecology and distribution

Quercus leucotrichophora is distributed in Northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In Nepal, it naturally occurs at 1500–2700 m in forested areas in association with Rhododendron arboreum.,[2] Lyonia ovalifolia, Myrica esculenta.[3] On south facing slopes and disturbed areas it forms associations with Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii)[4]

Uses and economic value

The Banj oak is among the most useful trees of the Himalaya. It is extensively lopped (or branch pruned) for fuelwood and its wood has a high calorific value and good burning properties. The leaves are extensively used as a cattle fodder. Leaf litter is rich in Nitrogen and makes an excellent compost fertilizer.[3] The timber while hard and strong, and used for agricultural implements is not particularly valuable as it is hard to work.

Habitat value

The tree is affected with many types of leaf galls caused by different types of insects. Many Cecidomyiidae genera such as Asphondylia, Lasioptera and Dasineura are known to cause plant galls. An unknown Itonididae (cecidomyiid) caused pouch leaf galls on the tree.[5]

References
  1. "Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
  2. Manandhar, Narayan P. (2002). Plants and People of Nepal. Portland, Oregon, USA: Timber Press. p. 388. ISBN 0881925276.
  3. Thadani, Rajesh; Ashton, P.M.S. (October 1995). "Regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) in the central Himalaya". Forest Ecology and Management. 78 (1–3): 217–224. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(95)03561-4. ISSN 0378-1127.
  4. Thadani, Rajesh (1999). Disturbance, microclimate and the competitive dynamics of tree seedlings in banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forests of the central Himalaya, India. Yale University, Ph.D thesis.
  5. Mishra, P., and V. Patni. "Anatomical changes and development of Cecidomyiid leaf gall of Quercus leucotrichophora-Himalayan white oak." J Mycol Pl Pathol 38.2 (2008): 203-207.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.