familyFagaceae
genusFagus

Fagus

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 997. 175.

,

Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 432. 1754.

Common names: Beech hêtre haya
Etymology: Classical Latin name, from Greek figos, an oak with edible acorns, probably from Greek fagein, to eat
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Trees, winter-deciduous. Terminal buds present, long, tapered in maturity, all scales imbricate. Leaves: stipules prominent on new growth, soon deciduous. Leaf blade thin, secondary veins unbranched, ± parallel, extending to margin, each vein ending in acute or obscure tooth. Inflorescences unisexual, axillary in new growth leaves; staminate inflorescence lax, loosely capitate cluster of flowers; pistillate inflorescence short, stiff, cupule 1, terminal. Staminate flowers: sepals connate; stamens 6-16; pistillode typically absent. Pistillate flowers 2 per cupule; sepals distinct; carpels and styles 3. Fruits: maturation in 1st year following pollination; cupule 4-valved, valves distinct, ±completely enclosing nuts until maturity, prickly, prickles stout, unbranched, short, not obscuring surface of cupule, internal valves absent; nuts 2 per cupule, sharply 3-angled, slightly winged. x = 12.

Distribution

Temperate, subtropical, and montane tropical forests, North America (e United States), Mexico, Europe, Asia.

Discussion

Species 8-10 (1 in the flora).

Lower Taxa

... more about "Fagus"
Kevin C. Nixon +
Linnaeus +
Beech +, hêtre +  and haya +
Temperate +, subtropical +, and montane tropical forests +, North America (e United States) +, Mexico +, Europe +  and Asia. +
Classical Latin name, from Greek figos, an oak with edible acorns, probably from Greek fagein, to eat +
Sp. Pl. +  and Gen. Pl. ed. +
cooper1977a +, hardin1985a +  and rehder1907a +
Fagaceae +