Lithocarpus glaber
(Thunb.) Nakai
Fagaceae
Kuromatea glabra (Thunb.) Kudô
Lithocarpus inversus (Lindl. & Paxton) Nakai
Lithocarpus thalassicus (Hance) Rehder
Pasania glabra (Thunb.) Oerst.
Pasania sieboldiana (Blume) Nakai
Pasania thalassica (Hance) Oerst.
Quercus acuta Siebold ex Blume
Quercus glabra Bürger ex Blume
Quercus glabra Thunb.
Quercus glauca Bürger ex Blume
Quercus inversa Lindl. & Paxton
Quercus reversa Benth.
Quercus sieboldiana Blume
Quercus thalassica Hance
Synaedrys glabra (Thunb.) Koidz.
Synaedrys thalassica (Hance) Koidz.
Common Name: Japanese Oak
General Information
Lithocarpus glaber is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
58- Title
- Flora of Japan. (English translation)
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ohwi. G.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution
- Year
- 1965
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
E. Asia - southeastern China, central and southern Japan.
Habitat
Mixed mesophytic forests, frequent on sunny slopes; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 10.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Lithocarpus glaber is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant. All of the hardier members of the genus seem to appreciate mild and moist conditions, and like to be as warm as possible in the summer[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]
Grows best in a warm sheltered position, but not one where it can be scorched in full sun. A site with a high canopy is advisable, at least when the trees are young[
1212- Title
- New Trees
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing; London
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 1842461737
- Description
- Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]. It prefers a deep fertile soil with medium drainage[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants are often confused with Lithocarpus edulis[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. The botanical name of this species is confusing - glaber means smooth but the young shoots of this species are hairy whilst the young shoots of Lithocarpus edulis are smooth[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. The ellipsoid seed is 12 - 25mm long and 8 - 15mm wide[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. The seed probably contains bitter-tasting tannins. These can be removed by soaking the seed in water for a few days, changing the soak water regularly. The process can be speeded up by grinding the seed into a powder prior to soaking[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. It needs to be protected from mice, squirrels and other seed eaters. The seed has a short viability but can be stored for a few months if kept cool and slightly damp - the salad compartment of a fridge is a good storage place. Germination takes place in the winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If the plants are 15cm or more tall by the summer they can be planted out into their permanent positions. Give them a good weed-excluding mulch and some protection from the cold for their first couple of years outdoors. If growth is not sufficient then grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
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