Fagaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Quercus garryana

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant contain tannins. Whilst tannins are found in many foods, and have a range of medicinal uses. They are usually only present in low concentrations. In some foods made from oaks (particularly the seeds), the tannin content can be quite high unless the food is treated to reduce tannin content. Tannins are only of low toxicity and, because of their bitter taste and astringency, are unlikely to be eaten in large quantities. However, if they are taken in excess, they can cause stomach pains; constipation followed by bloody diarrhoea: excessive thirst; and excessive urination[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ].

Botanical Description

Quercus garryana can be a deciduous shrub with multiple stems and creeping roots, reaching a height of 10 - 300cm when growing in rocky habitats with shallow soils; in more favourable conditions it becomes a tall, usually single-stemmed tree with a spreading crown that can grow 8 - 30 metres tall. The bole of larger trees can be 60 - 100cm in diameter, exceptionally to 250cm[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. The seeds were an important food source for the native Americans, and are still eaten to a limited extent. The plant is also harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The tree is harvested commercially for its wood, and it is also considered to be one of the best fuels for home heating and gathers top prices It is sometiumes grown as an ornamental[ 1050 Title Fire Effects Information System Publication Author Website http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants ]. With a very large range, variety of suitable habitats and minimal threats, Quercus garrynan is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeWestern N. America - British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California.

HabitatFound in a variety of inland sites, including upland slopes, exposed ridges and open valley bottoms, in mixed evergreen forests, conifer forests, inland in its own open woodland community, or as a large shrub among pines, firs and junipers[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].