Propagation
Sow fresh seed in a container and place in a cold frame to germinate during autumn.

Botanic information
Leaf: The leathery textured oblong leaves are up to 120 mm (4ľ in) long with an acute apex and a short pubescent petiole. The variable margins are entire or serrate and occasionally revolute. The young leaves are densely pubescent and the dark green upper surface is almost glabrous and the underside is whitish. The leaves are arranged alternately on rusty coloured pubescent twigs.

Flower: The whitish staminate (male) flowers have 5-6 minute sepals and 10-12 stamens. They appear densely on a stiff spreading spike and the pistillate (female) flowers appear at the base of the male spike or on a separate inflorescence during spring with the new foliage.

Fruit: The ovoid hard shelled acorn is partly enclosed by a cup-like involucre that is up to 30 mm (1? in) in diameter with slender bur-like scales that are reflex or spreading. The fruit matures in 2-years and contains a solitary seed.