Quercus coccifera – Kermes Oak

Explore Quercus coccifera (Kermes Oak) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Quercus coccifera | Botanical Characteristics

Common Names: Kermes Oak, Palestine Oak, Holly Oak

Family: Fagaceae

Appearance: A dense, evergreen shrub or small tree with tough, spiny, holly-like leaves that are dark green and leathery. Produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spring—male catkins and tiny female flowers—followed by acorns that mature over two years. Forms thickets and impenetrable scrub in its native range.

Type: Perennial

Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen

Layer: Low tree / Shrub layer

Root System: Deep, extensive root system with strong drought-adaptation; capable of resprouting from the base

Height: 1–6 m (rarely up to 10 m)

Width: 2–6 m

Lifespan: Long-lived

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Fertility: Not self-fertile

Flowers: Monoecious

Pollinator: Wind-pollinated

Toxicity: Acorns contain tannins; raw acorns may cause digestive upset if consumed without leaching

Quercus coccifera | Habitat and Cultivation

Range

• Native Range: Mediterranean Basin – Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia

• Companionship: Thrives with drought-hardy species such as Pistacia, Juniperus, Cistus, Rosmarinus, and Thymus; suitable for dryland guilds and erosion-control plantings

• Invasive Range: Not considered invasive; forms natural maquis vegetation

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–10

• Minimum Chill Hours Required: Low

Resistance/Tolerance

• Poor Soil: High tolerance – thrives on rocky, dry, calcareous soils

• Drought: Very high tolerance – among the most drought-hardy oaks

• Shade: Low tolerance – prefers full sun

• Flood: Low tolerance

• Wind: High tolerance

• Maritime: High tolerance – salt- and wind-resistant

• Air Pollution: High tolerance

• Fire: Very high tolerance – resprouts vigorously after fire

Thriving Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Moisture: Dry to moderately dry

• Soil Type: Prefers rocky, limestone, or sandy soils; well-drained

• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline

Propagation

• Seeds: Acorns can be sown fresh; best germination when planted immediately after ripening

• Cuttings: Difficult; rarely successful

Quercus coccifera | Functional Uses and Benefits

Edible: Acorns edible after leaching tannins; historically used for flour or livestock feed

Medicinal: Traditional uses include treating diarrhea, bleeding, and skin conditions due to high tannin content in bark and leaves

Cosmetics: Tannin-rich extracts used in natural astringents

Animal Feed: Acorns can be used as supplementary feed after proper processing

Fiber: Not used

Timber: Wood is hard and dense but small in size; used locally for tool handles and small crafts

Firewood: Yes – excellent firewood; burns hot and slow

Wind Break: Suitable as a low to medium windbreak in dry climates

Fence: Forms dense, thorny thickets ideal for natural fencing and boundaries

Cover Crop: No

Mulch: Leaves decompose slowly; limited mulch value

Nitrogen Fixer: No

Dynamic Accumulator: No confirmed data

Pollinator Attractor: Wind-pollinated; not significant for pollinators

Pest Repellent: No confirmed data

Wildlife Supporter: Provides shelter and food for birds, small mammals, and insects; acorns support wildlife in Mediterranean ecosystems

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