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Another huge Southern live oak belonging to the group of the “Patriarchs” of Bari is in Valenzano. It has survived overbuilding and can be found near Lama Cutizza, inside “Masseria Morrone” (“Morrone Farm”).

Quercus virgiliana

– biology and ecology

This species is distributed in South-Eastern Europe, typical of dry woods and usually growing on poorly acid soils and at different altitudes up to 3.608 ft.

– distribution

This species is linked to South-East Europe chorology. In Italy, it is very common throughout the whole territory, but it doesn’t grow in the Po River Valley and in other alluvial plains.
However, it is often found as a crossbreed with other oak species.

– Importance and use

The useful active ingredients come from the bark of young branches, leaves and acorns;
They have antiseptic, astringent, febrifugal, and tonic properties.

Oakwood is used as a fuel. The plant has astringent and hemostatic properties.
Acorns are sweet and, in the past, were used not only for feeding pigs but also, to make a kind of acorn bread for the peasants.

Photo source: www.barinedita.it

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)