Fagaceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Quercus acutifolia

Edibility

1/5

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 acutifolia is a deciduous to semi-evergreen tree that can grow 10 - 40 metres tall. The bole can be 15 - 100cm in diameter[ 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 medicine and source of materials, perhaps also as a food. Quercus acutifolia is broadly distributed through central and southwestern Mexico, as well as into Guatemala, Belize and Honduras, from elevations of 1,000-2,500 m asl. Despite its wide-reaching distribution, this species is localized in temperate forests, which experience severe impacts from clear-cutting and destruction of habitat. Additionally, poor regeneration and projections of high vulnerability to climate change (24-41% range contraction circa 2050), indicate that this species is likely to face a population size reduction of at least 30% within the next 100 years. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' 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; tropical

Native RangeC. America - Honduras, Belize, Guatemala to southern and central Mexico

HabitatOak-pine and mixed forests, in open woods on wet slopes and plateaus, often localized in moist ravines and gullies; at elevations from 1,000 - 2,500 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. ]. Moist or wet mountain forests[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].