Fagus orientalis
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Fagus orientalis, the Oriental beech, is a deciduous tree in the family Fagaceae. It is native to Thrace in the southeastern Balkans in Europe, and Turkey in Western Asia.
Description
Fagus orientalis is a large tree, capable of reaching heights of up to Script error: No such module "convert". tall and Script error: No such module "convert". trunk diameter, though more typically Script error: No such module "convert". tall and up to Script error: No such module "convert". trunk diameter. Like all beeches, it has smooth, grey bark.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The leaves are alternate, simple, and entire or with a slightly crenate margin, Script error: No such module "convert". long and Script error: No such module "convert". broad, with 7–13 veins on each side of the leaf (6–7 veins in F. sylvatica). The buds are long and slender, Script error: No such module "convert". long and Script error: No such module "convert". thick, but thicker, till Script error: No such module "convert"., where the buds include flower buds.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The flowers are small catkins which appear shortly after the leaves in spring.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The seeds are small triangular nuts Script error: No such module "convert". long and Script error: No such module "convert". wide at the base; there are two nuts in each cupule, maturing in the autumn 5–6 months after pollination. The cupule differs from that of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in having flattened, slightly leaf-like appendages at the base (which are slender, soft spines in European beech).Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Taxonomy
Fagus orientalis is closely related to Fagus sylvatica (European beech), and hybridises with it in the Balkans. Populations in the far northeast of Turkey and the Caucasus region have recently been split off as a separate species, Fagus hohenackeriana (Caucasian beech), and those from the Alborz mountains as Fagus caspica (Caspian beech).[1]
Distribution and habitat
The tree's natural range extends from southeastern Bulgaria's Strandja mountain range and northeastern Greece to northwest and northern Turkey, and locally in southern Turkey.[1] It occurs in moist mountain habitats, often mixed with Abies nordmanniana.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Use
The wood of Fagus orientalis is heavy, hard, strong and highly resistant to shock. These features makes it suitable for steam bending. The wood is also a source to fuelwood and can be used for constructions particleboard, furniture, flooring veneer, mining poles, railway tiles and paper.[2]
See also
- Caucasus mixed forests ecoregion — key species in the ecoregion
References
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External links
- Oriental beech on Floridata
- Fagus orientalis, Plants for a Future
- Fagus orientalis - distribution map, genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)