Quercus suber is native to the western regions of the Mediterranean basin. It is particularly widespread in Spain, Portugal, southern France, Italy (especially in Sardinia), and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia).
Quercus suber is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can reach heights between 10 and 20 meters. The trunk and main branches are covered with thick, rugged bark, characteristic for its corky nature, which is periodically harvested for cork production. The leaves are leathery, oval or lanceolate, with slightly toothed margins. Their color varies from dark green on the upper surface to gray-green on the underside.
Flowering occurs in spring. Quercus suber is a monoecious plant, meaning it bears separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are small and clustered in drooping catkins, while the female flowers are solitary or in small groups. The fruits are acorns, about 2-3 cm long, maturing in autumn and enclosed for about a third of their length by a scaly cupule.
Quercus suber prefers warm, sunny climates typical of Mediterranean regions, with mild winters and well-distributed rainfall. It grows well on sandy, clayey, and siliceous soils, and can tolerate moderate drought conditions. It is often found in mixed forests alongside other Mediterranean species such as holm oak (Quercus ilex) and maritime pine (Pinus pinaster).
Quercus suber is also valued for its landscape and ornamental qualities, often used in Mediterranean parks and gardens. Its thick, rugged bark gives a distinctive and attractive appearance to mature trees. Cork production is an important economic activity in regions where the plant is found, and the harvested cork is used for making bottle corks, insulating materials, and various handcrafted products.
