Fagaceae FAMILY Endangered

Quercus brandegeei

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 brandegeei is an evergreen tree with widely spreading, slender and somewhat drooping branches; it usually grows from 12 - 20 metres tallt[ 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. ] The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The acorns are sweet and edible and are sold in local markets[ 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. ]. Quercus brandegeei is a Mexican endemic tree with a very restricted range. It grows in ephemeral riverbeds in southern Baja California, but the climate is becoming drier and there is often very little precipitation through the year, leading to habitat degradation. This lack of precipitation results in episodic and very limited or even non-existent regeneration of this and other plants. Field surveys prior to 1998 and again in 2015 reported no regeneration for this species at several sites, and field researchers observed no young trees under trees 100 years or more old. A decline in population and extreme fluctuation in the number of mature individuals is projected for the future. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' 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 RangeSouthwestern N. America - Mexico (Baja California do Sul)

HabitatSandy soils adjacent to ephemeral river beds; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[ 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. ]. Quercus brandegeei grows on granitic mountains and associated washes, surrounded by desert scrub[ 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. ].