Q U E R C U S sessiliflora*
Sessile-fruited Oah.
MONOECIA Polyandria.
G en. Char. Male, Cal. bell-shaped, l'obed. Cor. none,
S ta in . 5— 10. Female, Cal. bell-shaped, entire,
rough. Cor. none. S ty le 1. S tigm a s 3. N u t
superior, leathery, with 1 seed.
Spec. Char. Leaves on footstalks, deciduous, oblong ;
their sinuses opposite and rather acute. Fruit sessile.
Syn. Quercus sessiliflora. Salisb. P ro d . 392. Sm . Fl.
B r i t . 1026. Gulp. 80.
Q . Robur. W ith . 387. H u ll. 212. A b b o t. 210.
H u d s . 421, 0 . M a r t. R u s t. t. 11, 12.
Q . latifolia mas, quae brevi pedieulo est. R a il Syn.
440.
r n
j L HE Sessile-fruifed Oak, fortunately much less common
than the true British Oak, t. 1342, as its timber is far less
strong,and durable, is however found in most parts of England.
It is known by its leaves being more regularly and oppositely
sinuated, which gives the tree a neater and more chesnut-
like aspect, with generally longer footstalks ; but especially by
the female flowers, and consequently the acorns, being sessile.
It is said to be somewhat later in flowering, and the leaves are
commonly more permanent. Sometimes they are downy
beneath, as in our specimens sent by Mr. W. Borrer and
Mr. Lyell from Sussex, which variety is called the Durmast
Oak. This abounds in the New Forest, and about Good-
wood near Chichester ; but however desirable as a variety in
home plantations, it is to be rejected from all plantations for
valuable purposes, and the true Q. Robur should be carefully
preferred. Professor Martyn, whose Flora Rustica contains a
full account of these trees, has only erred in consideiing the
common smooth-leaved state of Q. sessiliflora as belonging to
the Robur, misled, as it seems, by the occasional footstalks-
of the -leaves.
Feb. >.iSo8. P ublish'd b y J h f. Sm i o h ii Lcnde