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Fagaceae

tree family
Also known as: Cupuliferae, oak and beech family

Quick Summary

Fagaceae, commonly known as the oak and beech family, is a group of trees and shrubs within the order Fagales. This family comprises approximately 1,000 species distributed across 7 to 8 genera, with Quercus (oaks) being the largest genus, containing about 400 species primarily found in the warmer Northern Hemisphere. Other significant genera include Fagus (beeches), Castanea (chestnuts), and Chrysolepis.1

Members of Fagaceae are important components of temperate forests worldwide and are known for their valuable timber, edible fruits like acorns and chestnuts, and the production of tannins and cork. The family's characteristic features include simple leaves, unisexual flowers often arranged in catkins, and fruits that are typically nuts surrounded by a cupule or hull.234

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