The taxonomic interpretation of Mediterranean oaks of Quercus sect. Quercus (Fagaceae): uncertainties and diverging concepts

The high degree of polymorphism found in the genus Quercus is certainly the main cause of the divergent taxonomic treatments that have often generated more uncertainties, if not confusion, than clarity. However, in recent years, also thanks to the use of molecular investigation techniques, several doubts have now been overcome. In this paper we summarized the main literature on the topic and provide a synthetic evaluation of the systematic position of the Italian taxa belonging to the so-called “Quercus pubescens group” (“downy oaks”).