Fagaceae -- the beech and oak family (9/1000; Worldwide temperate with a few tropical; important member of northern temperate habitats and some montane tropical habitats)
Habit shrubs or trees
Leaves alternate, simple, stipulate with caducous stipules
Inflorescences staminate inflorescence an erect or pendulous spike or head; pistillate inflorecence of 1-3 (-7) flowers subtended by a cupule of numerous ± connate bractlets
Special floral characters flowers always imperfect, staminate inflorescences in catkins or spikes, pistillate flowers (or flower) subtended by a cupule
Calyx of pistillate flowers: 2-8 sepals very reduced; connate and adnate to ovary Calyx of staminate flowers: 2-7 sepals connate
Corolla absent
Androecium 4-many stamens distinct
Gynoecium 3-7 carpels; connate; inferior; 3-7 locules with 2 axile ovules/locule; styles as many as carpels
Fruit= nut subtended or surrounded by a woody cup-like or bur-like cupule
(Floral formula: Ca 2-7 A 4-? AND Ca 2-8 G 3-7 )