Lithocarpus elegans
| Lithocarpus elegans | |
|---|---|
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| In Meghalaya, India | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Fagaceae |
| Genus: | Lithocarpus |
| Species: | L. elegans |
| Binomial name | |
| Lithocarpus elegans | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Synonymy
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Lithocarpus elegans is a flowering plant in the beech family Fagaceae. The specific epithet elegans means 'elegant', referring to the acorns and cupules.[3]
Description
Lithocarpus elegans grows as a tree up to 30 m (100 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70 cm (30 in). The greyish brown bark is fissured or lenticellate. The coriaceous leaves measure up to 17 cm (7 in) long. Its edible brown acorns are ovoid to roundish and measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) across.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Lithocarpus elegans is native to the eastern Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, northeastern India, Bhutan and Nepal), Indo-China, and western and central Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi).[2][3] Its habitat is dipterocarp to lower montane forests up to 1,500 m (5,000 ft) elevation.[3]
Conservation
Lithocarpus elegans has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. The area in which the species occurs has experienced urban development, conversion of land for agriculture and deforestation. The species is locally harvested. However the species is present in protected areas.[1]
Uses
The timber is used locally as firewood and for charcoal.[3]
References
- 1 2 Strijk, J.S. (2023). "Lithocarpus elegans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023 e.T136650823A225147201. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T136650823A225147201.en. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Lithocarpus elegans (Blume) Hatus. ex Soepadmo". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Soepadmo, E.; Julia, L.; Go, Rusea (2000). "Lithocarpus elegans (Blume) Hatus. ex Soepadmo". In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 3. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 55–56. ISBN 983-2181-06-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 30 Aug 2016.
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Lithocarpus
- Flora of Assam (region)
- Flora of Bangladesh
- Trees of Borneo
- Flora of South-Central China
- Flora of Southeast China
- Flora of East Himalaya
- Trees of the Indian subcontinent
- Trees of Indo-China
- Trees of Java
- Trees of Malaya
- Flora of Nepal
- Trees of Sulawesi
- Trees of Sumatra
- Flora of Tibet
- Plants described in 1825
- Taxa named by Carl Ludwig Blume

