BRITISH OAK : HOLME OAK 



109 



3 Cupule with few and broad scales 

 almost or quite glabrous, hemi- 

 spherical ; acorn smooth, shining. 



Quercus Robur, L. Oak (Figs. 102, 103). The narrow 

 oblong acorn shows the remains of the stigma and minute 

 traces of the perigone at its duller apex, and varies in 

 length from about 20 to 40 mm. Occasionally two or 

 more seeds may occur in the fruit, and the remains of 

 aborted ovules at the base betray the fact that it (the 

 acorn) was primarily a 3-chambered ovary with 2 ovules 

 in each chamber. 



[Two principal varieties are distinguished, Q. peduncu- 

 lata (Fig. 103), with the acorns scattered and on evident 

 peduncles, and Q. sessiliflora (Fig. 102) with sub-sessile 

 acorns more crowded on a condensed peduncle.] 



Jf $ Cupule turbinate or somewhat conical, 

 with small triangular scales, grey 

 tomentose, as is also the acorn. 



Fig. 104. 



Fig. 104. 

 Fig. 105. 



Fig. 105. 



Quercus Ilex, acorn (Kotschy). 

 Quercus Suber, acorn (Kotschy). 



Quercus Ilex, L. Evergreen Oak, Holme Oak (Fig. 104). 



