Holm oak

Scientific name: Quercus ilex
Common name: Evergreen oak

Part of the Fagaceae family. An evergreen tree up to 20 meters tall, it has a very dense canopy with a dark, almost blackish color. The trunk is upright and sturdy; the bark also tends to black. The leaves are lanceolate and elliptical, dark green, glossy on the upper page and whitish on the lower. The male inflorescences are yellow pendulous catkins, while the female inflorescences are very small and are found at the axils of the leaves. The fruits are 2-3cm long acorns. The evergreen oak is found throughout most of the Mediterranean basin, with a preference for warmer areas.

In ancient civilizations, such as the Greek and Latin, the evergreen oak had a sacred value. Because of its resistance to pollution and pruning, it is also often used as an ornamental plant in driveways and gardens. Its very tough and heavy wood, yet difficult to season and process, is still valued today as fuel for firewood and charcoal.

Its acorns are sweeter than those of oaks. For this reason, they are an excellent source of food for many wild animals, such as deer, fallow deer, wild boar, as well as pigs. Especially in the past, these fruits were used for the production of a flour excellent for making bread and cakes.