Family: Fagaceae Genus: Quercus Common name: Valencian Oak, Galer Oak, Small-leaved Oak or Garriguenc Oak. Uses and properties: Edible or food uses. Furniture, construction and tools. Medicinal. Symbolic uses. Habitats: Forming mixed woods, accompanied by maple, fleur de sel or occasionally yew. Especially in mountainous and calcareous Mediterranean areas. It can also be found mixed in holm oak or pine woods. Features: It is a tree that grows to a height of 15 m. The leaves are ± leathery and rigid, with sharp and flat lobes; the upper side is light green and the lower side is even lighter (because it has short asteriform hairs). It is marcescential, i.e. the dry leaves do not fall and remain on the tree during the winter. Notes: The Galero was described by Cavanilles in 1793, accompanied by an icon, and given the name Quercus valentina. It owes its name to the brown, spherical malformations popularly known as galas or agalles, which appear as a protective reaction of the tree against the eggs of a cynip insect. The galls are prized for their pharmacological value and as a skin dressing (rich in tannins). Information taken from the website http://herbarivirtual.uib.es/ and from Pellicer, Joan (2000). Costumari Botànic. Edicions del Bullent. |