[pamela]

I know this is Quercus ilex but does anyone know which subspecies

[Alisdair]

It looks most like what used to be called Q. ilex subsp. rotundifolia, but in fact Quercus ilex is so variable across its range that nowadays all the variations that used to be considered as either subspecies (ballota, gracilis, montserratensis - not to be confused with Q. monserratensis, a deciduous species from Salvador! - and rotundifolia) or the multitude of named "vars" have been merged into the single species, with no subspecies or vars. Makes identification much less of a minefield!

[pamela]

Thanks so much Alisdair and so promptly.  I thought it might be rotundifolia as its well known in the South of Spain.   This one is in a friends garden here and is a  magnificent tree. But I wanted to ask the oracles on this website!  Thanks again!

[Speedy]

Below are some links to a website that may help diferentiate between
the various Q.ilex subspecies and Q.rotundifolia.


http://oaks.of.the.world.free.fr/quercus_ilex.htm

http://oaks.of.the.world.free.fr/quercus_rotundifolia.htm

[John]

Having posted a couple of things on Montseny, north of Barcelona here's a picture of Quercus ilex which is one of the dominant tree species along with Quercus suber on the mountain especially on the southern slopes. Here on this rock outcrop it has only attained shrub like proportions.
Growing in it's base is Polypodium vulgare or possibly P. australe? Also lichens are common on the trunks. The soil here is quite acid.