Oak (Quercus robur)

Enlarged 25x life-size, 1-part

Family: Fagaceae

Oak trees have both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers hang down while the females protrude up. Its flowers are adapted to wind-pollination, so they are not bright and flashy to attract insects. The female flowers form no inflorescence, they remain green and do not produce nectar. Female flowers, once fertilized, go on to become acorns. The cupule, the cuplike structure holding an acorn is a modified, woody involucre. Beech (fagus silvatica) and Hazel (Corylus avellana) have similar flowers.

6.5 x 13 x 11”, 1.3 kg