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.
