Quercus × hispanica explained

Quercus × hispanica, commonly known as Spanish oak, is tree in the family Fagaceae. It is a semideciduous hybrid between the European trees Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and cork oak (Quercus suber).

Taxonomy

The taxon was first described as the species Quercus hispanica by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785., Plants of the World Online treated it as the hybrid between the European species Quercus cerris (Turkey oak) and Quercus suber (cork oak) using the hybrid name Quercus × hispanica.^[1] In this treatment, one of its many synonyms is Quercus × crenata, which may also be treated as a separate species.^[2]

Distribution

Hybridisation occurs naturally in southwestern Europe where both parent species occur. The Lucombe oak cultivar is frequently found in British collections. To be a true Lucombe oak, cultivars must be clones of the original hybrid arising in William Lucombe's Exeter nursery.

Cultivation

A number of named cultivars are grown in gardens, parks, arboreta and botanical gardens.

Cultivars

• Quercus × hispanica 'Lucombeana' ("Lucombe oak"), originally raised by William Lucombe at his Exeter, UK nursery in 1762. An early Lucombe Oak is in Kew Gardens arboretum, and is regarded as one of their 'heritage trees'.^[3] The Tree Register of the British Isles−TROBI Champion is at Phear Park in Exmouth, measuring 26m (85feet) in height, with a trunk diameter of 261cm (103inches) in 2008.
• Quercus × hispanica 'Waasland' ("Waasland select oak"), leaves display an unusual slender, lobed shape.^[4]
• Quercus × hispanica 'Wageningen' ("Wageningen oak")^[5]
• Quercus × hispanica 'Fulhamensis' ("Fulham oak")

Notes and References

1. Quercus × hispanica Lam... 296259-1. 2024-10-29. cs1.
2. Quercus crenata Lam. . 0000290347 . 2020-10-29.
3. Web site: About Kew's Arboretum. kew.org. 28 August 2018.
4. Web site: Quercus x hispanica 'Waasland' . https://web.archive.org/web/20200703142925/https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/quercus-hispanica-waasland-p973 . 2020-07-03 . 28 August 2018 . ornamental-trees.co.uk.
5. Web site: Quercus x hispanica 'Wageningen'. majestictrees.co.uk. 28 August 2018.