The family
Fagaceae, or
beech family, is characterized by alternate, entire
leaves with pinnate venation,
flowers in the form of
catkins[?], and
fruit in the form of nuts, either one or two in a scale or spiny husk that may or may not enclose the
nut. The best-known group of this family is the
oaks, genus
Quercus, the fruit of which is called an
acorn. The husk of the acorn in most oaks only forms a cap on the nut.
This family is closely allied with the Betulaceae, the birch family.
