[header] How to identify oaks by the acorns [title] Examine the acorn cup scales. [step] The nut of the acorn grows from a woody cup, which may remind you of a hat. The small scales that make up the cup may be thin and flat, or thick and forming wart-like growths (tubercles).
[header] How to identify oaks by the acorns [title] Examine the acorn cup scales. [step] The nut of the acorn grows from a woody cup, which may remind you of a hat. The small scales that make up the cup may be thin and flat, or thick and forming wart-like growths (tubercles).
[substeps] The size of these growths vary widely-from 2.5 to 7 millimetres. They have a gorgeous shine and can help define oaks. This variation is a great start for narrowing down the possible species. [substeps] All oaks native to north america and europe have a spiral of overlapping scales on the cup. The acorn cup scales are what you typically see on acorn balls. These growths are often purplish-purple in color, and have specific cracks or fissures to them. These growths will look like small parallel bumps surrounding the acorn cup, hiding the acorn cup scales beneath. Be careful not to access these growths with pliers.