The species of October 2017

Name: Golden Oak
Scientific name: Quercus alnifolia
Family: Fagaceae

Description
It is a small evergreen tree or a tall multi-branched bush of up to 10 m. The upper leaf surface is deep green and glossy, while the lower surface is covered by a dense golden coat and this is mainly why the plant is known as the “Golden-green leaf”.  The acorns are when matured and scales are found at the base of them.

Habitat
Found in igneous rocks at altitudes ranging from 400-1800 m. It forms forest clusters along with the Turkish pine (Pinus brutia) or forms pure shrub clusters in relatively wet locations creating deep forest lands.

Distribution
The most extended clusters are found in the forests of Troodos, Pafos and Machairas. It is not found in Akamas, Stavrovouni and Pentadaktylos.

Endemism
The endemic plants of Cyprus represent the 7% of the Cypriot flora. The Golden Oak is one of the endemic species found only in Cyprus.

Protection
The scrub and forest clusters of the Golden Oak create an endemic habitat that is protected by Cyprus as well as by the European Union. Habitat type 9390 is a priority habitat of Annex I of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43 / EEC) of the European Union. Hence, large forest areas have been included in the NATURA 2000 network (Natura 2000) to protect, among others, endemic oak forests. On February 1, 2006, the Council of Ministers proclaimed the Golden Oak as the National Tree of Cyprus.

Sources:
[1] Τσιντίδης, Τ., Χατζήκυριάκου, Γ., Χριστοδούλου, Χ. (2002). Δέντρα και Θάμνοι στην Κύπρο. Λευκωσία: Ίδρυμα Α.Γ. Λεβέντη – Φιλοδασικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου.
[2] Merlo, Maurizio (2005). Valuing Mediterranean Forests: Towards Total Economic Value. CABI Publishing. σελ. 217. ISBN 0851994806.
[3] Barbéro, M. (1979). “Contribution à l’ étude des groupements forestiers de Chypre”. Documents phytosociologiques (IV): 9-34.
[4] http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9B%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B6%CE%B9%CE%AC
[5] Τσιντίδης, Τ., Χατζήκυριάκου, Γ., Χριστοδούλου, Χ. (2002). Δέντρα και Θάμνοι στην Κύπρο. Λευκωσία: Ίδρυμα Α.Γ. Λεβέντη – Φιλοδασικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου.

Photograph source:
www.wikipedia.org
©Chneophytou