Fagus crenata

Japanese beech
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fagales
Family:	Fagaceae
Genus:	Fagus
Species:	F. crenata
Binomial name
	Fagus crenata; Blume
Synonyms
	Fagus ferruginea; Fagus sieboldii

Fagus crenata, known as Siebold's beech, or Japanese beech, is a species of deciduous tree in the family Fagaceae.

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to Japan, where it is widespread and often one of the dominant trees of Japan's deciduous forests.^[2] It is found from the Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaidō south to the Ōsumi Peninsula in Kyūshū. In north-east Honshū it grows in large stands from sea level up to 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) but in the south-west of its range it is restricted to mountainous areas and occurs in small, isolated populations. It grows in well-drained, loamy or sandy soils.

Description

It reaches 35 metres (115 ft) in height. The crown is rounded and the bark is smooth and grey. The simple leaves are arranged alternately along the branch. They are broadest towards the base and have 7 to 11 pairs of veins. The nut has a short thick stalk, 15 millimetres (0.6 in) long. There are flattened green whiskers at the base of the husk of the nut. The flowers are wind-pollinated. The young leaves and seeds are edible.

References

^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Fagus crenata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T138593394A143485665. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T138593394A143485665.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
^ Okaura, T; K Harada (2002). "Phylogeographical structure revealed by chloroplast DNA variation in Japanese Beech (Fagus crenata Blume)" (PDF). Heredity. 88 (4). Nature Publishing Group: 322–329. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800048. PMID 11920142. Retrieved 2007-06-30.

Evans, Erv (2000-2003) Fagus crenata, NC State University. Accessed 26/06/07.
Johnson, Owen & More, David (2006) Collins Tree Guide, HarperCollins, London
Plants for a Future (2004) [1]. Accessed 13/07/14.

[iucn_status_18_November_2021-1] Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Fagus crenata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T138593394A143485665. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T138593394A143485665.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

[2] Okaura, T; K Harada (2002). "Phylogeographical structure revealed by chloroplast DNA variation in Japanese Beech (Fagus crenata Blume)" (PDF). Heredity. 88 (4). Nature Publishing Group: 322–329. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800048. PMID 11920142. Retrieved 2007-06-30.

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