A Purple-Leaved Quercus rotundifolia

In June 2024 I visited Santiago Reyna Domenech, a professor at Valencia University (Universitat Politècnica de Valencia), at his truffle plantation about an hour’s drive north of Valencia. The purpose of the visit was mainly to discuss the cultivation of black truffles (Tuber melanosporum), but before we left he showed me a curious oak in a corner of his plantation. In a group of Quercus rotundifolia seedlings grown to be inoculated with truffle spores, he had noticed several that had attractive burgundy leaves and retained their color throughout the growing season. He selected a few and planted them out next to his truffle oaks. Most of them have proved very slow growers and have not surpassed about half a meter in height, but one has formed a small bush. We agreed this could be an attractive garden plant, with significant ornamental value. I encouraged Santiago to get the plant propagated. Once this is achieved, the plant could be registered as a cultivar and offered to nurseries. Watch this space!

Photos © Roderick Cameron