Quercus stellata
Quercus stellata
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 stellata is a deciduous tree with a dense, rounded canopy of spreading, twisted branches; it usually grows up to 20 metres tall but in favoured sites can reach 30 metres, whilst in the drier parts of its range it is often only 9 - 12 metres tall. The bole is usually around 30 - 60cm in diameter but can reach 120cm[ 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 ]. A valuable timber species in N. America, where it is harvested on a commercial basis. The tree is also harvested for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is used in soil stabilization projects and is often grown as an ornamental in parks, as a street tree etc[ 1213 Title Southern Trees Fact Sheets Publication Author Gilman E.F. Website http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees Publisher University of Florida, IFAS Extension Year 0 ISBN Description A series of fact sheets on trees that can be grown in Florida. They can be downloaded from the Internet ]. Quercus stellata has a wide range and occurs regularly throughout, forming pure stands in parts of its range. Though the population size is not entirely known, because of its abundance throughout its range, the population size is assumed to be large enough to be outside the thresholds of any threatened category. The plant 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. ].