Fagaceae Economic Uses:

- This family is the source of a majority of the

The Oak and Beech Family world’s hardwood timbers, the most notable
7 genera being oak, beech and chestnut.
900 species - Commercial cork is derived from the bark of
the Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber).
- Many species of chestnut, but especially
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), are grown
for their large, edible nuts.
- The Iowa state tree is the Red Oak (Q. rubra).

Rosids: Reduced Phylogeny of Required Families

Male
flowers

Female
flowers
Distribution:
Widespread in tropical to temperate regions of
the northern hemisphere. In total, Fagaceae
represents a huge biomass, possibly exceeded
only by the conifers. This family also has a long
fossil record, with the origin dated to about 90
million years ago.
Characteristic features:
- Trees and shrubs.
- Flowers: unisexual (monoceious); usually 6
reduced/inconspicuous tepals; 4 to many
stamens; 3(-12) carpels, connate in an
inferior ovary.
- Male inflorescences in dangling catkins.
- Female inflorescences in sessile clusters.
- Fruit: a nut, associated with a spiny or scaly
cupule.
Required genus: Quercus
References for further inquiry:
- Govaerts, R. & Frodin, D.G. World Checklist and
Bibliography of Fagales (Betulaceae, Corylaceae,
Fagaceae and Ticodendraceae). Richmond, Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew (1998).
- Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., &
Seberg, O. Fagaceae. Pp. 147-149. In: Flowering
Plant Families of the World. New York, Firefly
Books (2007).

Prepared by: Mischa Olson

Year updated: Spring 2013