Quercus kotschyana
Quercus kotschyana is a species of oak endemic to the mountains of Lebanon. It is placed in subgenus Quercus, Quercus [section Quercus|section Quercus].
Description and naming
It is a large deciduous species, attaining heights up to 25 meters. It bears large, pubescent and strongly lobed leaves and overall resembles Quercus pyrenaica from the western Mediterranean and the likewise endemic Quercus vulcanica from Turkey. It was first described by Otto Schwarz, who named it in honour of Theodor Kotschy, an Austrian botanist who had travelled extensively in the region.Range and habitat
Quercus kotschyana grows in the northern Lebanon Mountains, on west-facing slopes between 1,650 and 1,950 metres elevation. There are eight subpopulations in the mountains, at Danniyeh, Ehden, Bsharri, Tannourine, Jaj, Jord Akoura, Jord Keserwan, and Zaarour. The species' range is small, with an estimated extent of occurrence of 440 km2, and an estimated area of occupancy of 32 km2.Quercus kotschyana is found in Southern Anatolian montane conifer and [deciduous forests|montane forests] dominated by Lebanon cedar, where it grows either as an understory tree among cedars, or co-dominant in stands with other broadleaved trees. Other associated trees include Greek juniper, chequer tree, Greek whitebeam, hawthorn spp., Balkan maple, and Montpellier maple. It is not associated with any other species of oak.