Quercus robur

Overview

Kew accepts Quercus robur in Fagaceae across Europe and western Asia. Its lobed leaves have short stalks; acorns grow on long peduncles.

The Flora of Northern Ireland separates it from sessile oak using combined characters. Pedunculate oak has a short leaf stalk and ear-like lobes at the leaf base, with acorns clustered on a long stalk. Sessile oak has a longer leaf stalk and lacks those basal lobes. Hybrids between the two complicate identification.

Jays and squirrels eat the acorns, and seeds they cache can help regeneration. Mature trees supply bark, branches and cavities used by many organisms, and fallen leaves support decomposers.

Origins & earliest records

Kew records publication by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (1753), page 996. This is naming history, not a biological origin date.

Evidence & interpretation

Kew naming, distribution and ecology; Northern Ireland flora identification.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Species Plantarum

   Linnaeus · 1753

   Selected bibliography; place of first publication as recorded by Kew (p. 996).

2. 02

   Quercus robur — Pedunculate Oak

   · n.d.

   Selected bibliography; Flora of Northern Ireland identification account.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Accepted name and family follow Plants of the World Online.

1. FamilyFagaceae
2. SpeciesQuercus robur L.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Taxonomic database and species profileQuercus robur L. | Plants of the World Online — general informationResearch access: 2026-10-07
2. Museum flora accountQuercus robur — Pedunculate OakResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A black silhouette of an oak twig bearing several rounded lobed leaves.

Attributed silhouette labelled Quercus robur in the individual source record; retained whole raster shows an outline, without colour, exact locality or diagnostic detail.