The name "Lithocarpus Glabra" refers to a type of oak tree that is commonly found in Asia. The term Lithocarpus refers to the hard fruit or nut of the tree and Glabra means smooth or without hair, describing the glossy leaves of the tree. The IPA phonetic transcription of this name is /lɪθəʊˈkɑːrpəs ɡlæbrə/, with the stress on the second syllable of Lithocarpus. This spelling is important for accurate and clear communication in scientific and botanical contexts.
Lithocarpus glabra, commonly known as the ring-cupped oak or the Japanese oak, is a species of evergreen tree belonging to the beech family, Fagaceae. It is native to East Asia, specifically found in regions such as Japan, China, and Korea.
The tree typically grows to a height of 10 to 20 meters, with a straight trunk and a rounded or spreading canopy. The bark is grayish-brown and smooth when young, but becomes rough and fissured with age. The leaves are leathery and glossy, elliptical or lanceolate in shape, with distinct parallel veins. They are dark green on the upper surface and lighter green underneath.
Lithocarpus glabra produces small, cup-shaped acorns as its fruit, giving rise to its common name "ring-cupped oak." These acorns have a woody cup or involucre that encloses the nut, with the cup having a ring-like appearance. They are an important food source for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
The wood of Lithocarpus glabra is valued for its hardness and durability, and it is commonly used in construction, furniture-making, and other woodworking applications. Additionally, the tree provides aesthetic value due to its attractive evergreen foliage and can be cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks.
Overall, Lithocarpus glabra is a distinctive species of oak tree with its unique cup-shaped acorns and evergreen nature, making it important both ecologically and economically.
The word Lithocarpus glabra is a scientific name given to a species of tree commonly known as the Japanese stone oak. In the field of botanical nomenclature, scientific names are typically composed of two parts: the genus name followed by the species name.
The genus name Lithocarpus comes from the Greek words lithos, meaning stone, and karpos, meaning fruit. It refers to the characteristic hard, stony fruits produced by trees in this genus.
The species name glabra is a Latin adjective meaning hairless or smooth, often used in plant taxonomy to describe plants without hairs on their surface or leaves.
Overall, Lithocarpus glabra can be translated as the smooth fruit of the stone oak.