Quercus suber aka Cork Oak

Quercus suber, commonly known as the cork oak, is a medium-sized, evergreen oak tree in the Quercus sect. Cerris section. It is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa and is an ancient species with fossil remnants dating back to the Tertiary period. The cork oak is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers and other uses, such as cork flooring and cricket ball cores. It endures drought and is regarded as a defense against desertification. Cork oak woodlands are home to a multitude of animal and plant species. However, these forests are at risk as cork is increasingly being displaced by other materials as a bottle cap. This puts animal species such as the Iberian lynx and imperial eagles at risk of extinction. Trees are commercially grown in several European and African countries, most notably in Portugal and Spain. Cork is usually not harvested until a tree reaches the age of at least 30-40 years. Trees can mature to 40-70 feet tall and have leathery, wavy-toothed, ovate, shiny dark green leaves. The thick, rough, deeply fissured, corky bark with reddish-brown furrows is a unique beauty, particularly on older trees. Cork oak is also a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil. Repotting when it doubles in size should supply enough nutrients, and it should be less than 1 foot from a window.