leaves are simple, elongated elliptical, persistent (non-deciduous)
the edges sparsely and sharply serrated, 1.5 - 4.0 cm in size, with short petioles
the leaves themselves are thick - leathery, dark green and glossy on both the upper and lower sides
young leaves are bronze
Flowers
herbaceous plant with gender diverse flowers
Fruits – seeds
the seed is a nut in a cup (acorn)
nuts are elongated, sharply pointed
scales on the cup are spiny, the spines are curved
Extension
in Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor
Ecology
it grows on drying slopes and rocks
in places where the original vegetation – forest – has been cleared or burned
Significance
the species is a host for scale insects of the genus Kermes, whose pea-sized females contain a purplish-red dye that has been used since Roman times for dyeing fabrics
possibility to use it in a hedge under suitable conditions
