Semecarpifolia Oak (Quercus semecarpifolia)

Family: Fagaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Quercus semecarpifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. — Up to 3cm long, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread.; The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost.; Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder.; It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream.

Habitat & North American Range

Often the dominant species on north-facing slopes in the Himalayas, from 2400 - 3600 metres. In China it grows right up to the tree-line, where it becomes a thicket-forming shrub. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)