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| The leaves of Quercus glauca change color, heavy rain is sure to follow (Image: mujweb) |
Quercus glauca is a tree whose leaves change color with the weather, earning it the nickname “weather tree” or “climate tree.”
Quercus glauca is a hardwood, evergreen tree belonging to the beech family (Fagaceae). In May, it produces yellow flowers that are unisexual, with both male and female flowers on the same tree. The inflorescence is drooping. Its hard fruit is either egg-shaped or oval, encased in a tough cupule, and ripens in October.
This species thrives in subtropical regions and is widely distributed across China, Japan, India, and Korea. It reacts quickly to weather conditions due to the rapid change in the ratio of chlorophyll to anthocyanin. During prolonged dry spells, as rain approaches and the weather becomes sultry, chlorophyll synthesis is hindered, allowing anthocyanin in the leaves to dominate, causing the leaves to gradually turn red. It is commonly known that when the leaves of Quercus glauca change color, heavy rain is sure to follow in a few days. Once the rain stops, the leaves revert to green.
The wood of Quercus glauca is gray-yellow or brown, featuring a fine texture and is quite dense, making it suitable for producing wheel axles, flywheels, and rollers. The seeds contain a high starch content, which can be used for brewing alcohol, making cakes, and producing tofu. The tough cupule and bark can yield a gummy substance (gum).
After the rain, the leaves turn green again (Image: akamai)
