Family: Fagaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 995 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Quercus
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. & C. Medit.
Description
The Cork Oak is a distinguished and ecologically significant tree found predominantly in the Western and Central Mediterranean regions. Known scientifically as Quercus suber, this species was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus (denoted as “L.”).
Belonging to the Fagaceae family, the Cork Oak is celebrated not only for its distinctive, rugged bark but also for the critical role it plays in its native ecosystems. The tree’s bark, which regenerates after harvesting, is the primary source of natural cork – a material highly valued for its use in bottle stoppers, flooring, and various other products. This renewable bark is harvested in a sustainable manner, typically every nine to twelve years, making the Cork Oak an eco-friendly resource.
Ecologically, Quercus suber serves as a keystone species. Its presence supports diverse habitats and aids in the prevention of soil erosion, contributing to the stability of the Mediterranean landscapes. The tree also provides a habitat for a variety of fauna, including several endangered species, and plays a crucial part in the maintenance of biodiversity.
Cork Oaks exhibit unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in their native regions’ climate. They have developed a robust resilience to fires, which are relatively common in Mediterranean environments. Their thick bark protects them from fire damage, ensuring their long-term survival and regeneration.
Through centuries of cultivation and utilization, the Cork Oak has become deeply integrated into the cultural and economic fabric of Mediterranean societies. Its sustainable harvesting practices set a global example for the use of renewable natural resources, aligning economic interests with environmental stewardship.
Common Names
Eng: cork bark oak, cork oak
Deu: korkeiche
Spa: alcornoque, suro
Por: carvalho-cortiça, carvalho-cortiçeiro, carvalho-de-cortiça, carvalho-de-rolha, carvalho-suberoso, sobreiro, sorbreiro
Fra: chêne liège
Swe: korkek
Ita: quercia da sughero
En: Cork oak, Sûr, Cork bark oak, Cork Tree, Cork-oak
Af: Kurkeik
Ar: بلوط الفلين
Hy: Խցանակաղնի
Eu: Artelatz
Be: Дуб корачны, Дуб коркавы
Bs: Hrast plutnjak
Bg: Корков дъб
Ca: Alzina surera, Surera, Suro
Zh: 西班牙栓皮櫟
Co: Suvara
Hr: Hrast plutnjak
Cs: Dub korkový
Da: Kork-eg
Nl: Kurkeik, Echte Kurkeik
Eo: Korkokverko
Et: Korgitamm
Fi: Korkkitammi
Fr: Chêne liège, Chêne-liège, Corcier, Surier, Suve
Gl: Sobreira
Ka: Კორპის მუხა
De: Korkeiche, Pantoffelbaum
El: Δρυς η φελλοφόρος
He: אלון השעם
Hi: कार्क
Hu: Paratölgy
Is: Korkeik
Ga: Corcdhair
It: Quercia da sughero, Sughera, Quercia da suguero
Ko: 코르크나무
Lv: Korķa ozols
Lt: Kamštinis ąžuolas
Mk: Даб плутник
No: Korkeik
Fa: درخت چوبپنبه
Pl: Dąb korkowy
Pt: Sorbreiro, Sobreiro, Sobro, Carvalho-cortiça, Carvalho-cortiçeiro, Carvalho-de-cortiça, Carvalho-de-rolha, Carvalho-suberoso
Qu: Chaparru
Ro: Stejar de plută
Ru: Dub probkovyj, Дуб пробковый
Sc: Suergiu
Gd: Craobh-àirc
Sr: Плутњак
Sk: Dub korkový
Es: Alcornoque, Suro, Hrast plutovec
Sv: Korkek
Zh-tw: 西班牙栓皮櫟
Tr: Mantar meşesi
Uk: Корковий дуб
Wa: Tchinne-lidje
Cy: Derwen gorcyn
Synonyms
- Quercus suber var. subocculata ((Cout.) Cout.)
- Quercus suber f. macrophylla (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. fagifolia (Albert)
- Quercus suber f. caduca (Trab.)
- Quercus suber f. subintegrifolia (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. microphylla (Trab.)
- Quercus suber subsp. occidentalis ((Gay) Bonnier & Layens)
- Quercus suber f. longicalyx ((A.Camus) F.M.Vázquez)
- Quercus suber var. angustifolia (Duhamel)
- Quercus occidentalis (Gay)
- Quercus suber f. clavata (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. clavata (Cout.)
- Quercus suber subsp. eusuber (A.Camus)
- Quercus suber f. microphylla (Cout.)
- Quercus corticosa (Raf.)
- Quercus suber subvar. parvifolia (Cout.)
- Quercus suber f. pendula (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. integrifolia (Borzì)
- Quercus suber f. subcrinita ((Cout.) Trab.)
- Quercus suber f. oleifolia (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. serotina (Borzì)
- Quercus occidentalis f. heterocarpa (Globa-Mikhailenki)
- Quercus suber var. occidentalis ((Gay) Laguna)
- Quercus sardoa (Gand.)
- Quercus suber var. macrocarpa (Willk.)
- Quercus suber var. racemosa (Borzì)
- Quercus suber f. macrocarpa (Cout.)
- Quercus suber f. subocculata (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. genuina (Cout.)
- Quercus suber f. vulgaris (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. edulis (A.Camus)
- Quercus suber var. brevisquama (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. crinita (Pers.)
- Quercus suber f. dolichocarpa ((A.Camus) F.M.Vázquez)
- Quercus suber var. dulcis (Trab.)
- Quercus suber var. subcrinita (Cout.)
- Quercus cintrana (Welw. ex Nyman)
- Quercus suber var. macrophylla (Trab.)
- Quercus suber f. dulcis (Cout.)
- Quercus suber f. microcarpa (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. dolichocarpa (A.Camus)
- Quercus suber f. biennalis (Trab.)
- Quercus subera (St.-Lag.)
- Quercus suber f. brevisquama ((Cout.) Trab.)
- Quercus suber var. latifolia (Duhamel)
- Quercus suber var. brevicalyx (Albert)
- Quercus mitis (Banks ex Lowe)
- Quercus suberosa (Salisb.)
- Quercus suber subvar. grandifolia (Cout.)
- Quercus suber var. calyciformis (Casalaina)
- Quercus suber f. brevicupulata (Trab.)
- Quercus suber f. racemosa ((Borzì) Trab.)
- Quercus suber var. longicalyx (A.Camus)
Distribution
- Algeria (native)
- Corse (native)
- France (native)
- Italy (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Baleares (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Aug 18, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by manulav (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 7, 2019 by Ferriiiiiw (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2017 by paolo sandrucci (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 27, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Richard granel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 19, 2021 by Jiménez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 14, 2019 by Kabbaj Salma (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 22, 2019 by Fedan Hacizade (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2009 by Tela Botanica − David DELON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2009 by Tela Botanica − David DELON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Florent HERVOUET (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Anne Eloy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2022 by anamurilloreinaldo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Ammar Foufou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2021 by Conrado Fresno (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2019 by David CG (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2021 by André Hyvrier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:296785-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2879411)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Quercus suber L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree
Growth
Ph maximum: 5.5
Ph minimum: 5.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 5