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Quercus leucotrichophora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fagales
Family:	Fagaceae
Genus:	Quercus
Subgenus:	Quercus subg. Cerris
Section:	Quercus sect. Ilex
Species:	Q. leucotrichophora
Binomial name
	Quercus leucotrichophora; A.Camus

Quercus leucotrichophora is a tree belonging to Family Fagaceae; commonly known as Banjh oak, Banj oak (Uttarakhand) and Ban oak (Himachal). In Nepal, it is known as Banjhi, Rainj, Khasarant, Tikhe bhanjh in standard Nepali and Sulsing in Tamang language. It is classified in subgenus Cerris, section Ilex.^[2]^[3] Some authors named it as Quercus incana Roxburgh,^[4] which is now treated as a synonym.^[3]

Description

Quercus leucotrichophora is an evergreen tree bearing stalked, ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, leathery, and dark green leaves which are glabrous above and densely white or gray pubescent beneath. The male flowers are slender and drooping spikes. The female spikes are sessile and axillary. There is a solitary acorn.^[4]

Quercus leucotrichophora flowers in April to May and fruits in December. Naturally, it regenerates via seeds.^[4]

Distribution and ecology

Quercus leucotrichophora is distributed in Northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In Nepal, it naturally occurs at 1,500–2,700 metres (4,900–8,900 feet) in forested areas in association with Rhododendron arboreum,^[4] Lyonia ovalifolia, and Myrica esculenta.^[5] On south-facing slopes and disturbed areas it forms associations with Pinus roxburghii (chir pine).^[6]

The fungus Lactarius abbotanus forms ectomycorrhizae with the roots of this tree.^[7]

Its branches are festooned with a variety of mosses, lichens, epiphytes, parasitic creepers, and other life forms that provide spaces for many creatures.^{[citation needed]}

The tree is affected with many types of leaf galls caused by different types of insects. Many Cecidomyiidae genera such as Asphondylia, Lasioptera and Dasineura are known to cause plant galls. An unknown Itonididae (cecidomyiid) caused pouch leaf galls on the tree.^[8]

Uses

The Banj oak is among the most useful trees of the Himalayas. It is extensively lopped (or branch pruned) for fuelwood and its wood has a high calorific value and good burning properties. The leaves are extensively used as a cattle fodder. The leaf litter is rich in nitrogen and makes an excellent compost fertilizer.^[5] The timber, while hard and strong and used for agricultural implements, is not particularly valuable as it is hard to work.

References

^ "Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
^ Denk, Thomas; Grimm, Guido W.; Manos, Paul S.; Deng, Min & Hipp, Andrew L. (2017). "Appendix 2.1: An updated infrageneric classification of the oaks" (xls). figshare. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5547622.v1. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b Denk, Thomas; Grimm, Guido W.; Manos, Paul S.; Deng, Min & Hipp, Andrew L. (2017), "An Updated Infrageneric Classification of the Oaks: Review of Previous Taxonomic Schemes and Synthesis of Evolutionary Patterns", in Gil-Pelegrín, Eustaquio; Peguero-Pina, José Javier & Sancho-Knapik, Domingo (eds.), Oaks Physiological Ecology. Exploring the Functional Diversity of Genus Quercus L., Cham.: Springer International Publishing, pp. 13–38, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-69099-5_2, ISBN 978-3-319-69099-5
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Manandhar, Narayan P. (2002). Plants and People of Nepal. Portland, Oregon, USA: Timber Press. p. 388. ISBN 0881925276.
^ ^a ^b Thadani, Rajesh; Ashton, P.M.S. (October 1995). "Regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) in the central Himalaya". Forest Ecology and Management. 78 (1–3): 217–224. Bibcode:1995ForEM..78..217T. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(95)03561-4. ISSN 0378-1127.
^ Thadani, Rajesh (1999). Disturbance, microclimate and the competitive dynamics of tree seedlings in banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forests of the central Himalaya, India. Yale University, PhD thesis.
^ Sharma, J.R.; Das, Kanad (October–December 2003). "New and interesting species of Lactarius from India". Mycotaxon. 88: 377–385. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via ResearchGate.
^ Mishra, P., and V. Patni. "Anatomical changes and development of Cecidomyiid leaf gall of Quercus leucotrichophora-Himalayan white oak." J Mycol Pl Pathol 38.2 (2008): 203–207.