Small-Scale Morphological Descriptors Analysis in Four Romanian Oak Stands Reported to Series Lanuginosae Simk

Abstract

Two oak taxa from series Lanuginosae are known to occur in Romania: Quercus pubescens and Q. virgiliana. The taxonomic status of the latter taxon is still debated: distinct species or intraspecific unit of Q. pubescens. The aim of this research was to evaluate the existence of these taxa in the studied area on the basis of leaf and fruit descriptors. Four stands situated in different geographic regions were sampled. In three of them the occurrence the two taxa was reported in Romanian literature. Our results indicate that most of the oak individuals can be classified as Q. pubescens due to sessile or nearly sessile fruits, in combination with specific leaf descriptors. No typical Q. virgiliana specimens were detected.