Despite its name, this oak species is rarely found in the Pyrenees, instead dominating semi-arid forests on the Iberian Peninsula.

Native to France, Portugal and Spain, and a small area of Morocco.

Monoecious. Wind-pollinated. Animal-dispersed.

Medium (20-25m), with a straight slender trunk and ascending, much-jointed branches. Bark grey-brown, craggy. Foliage strongly marcescent, flushing very late and appearing grey in summer from downy undersides catching the light. Leaves 3-10cm, deeply lobed, finely downy both sides. Male catkins golden-yellow and showy. Fruit an ellipsoid acorn (4cm x 2cm), one-quarter enclosed by the cupule.

Highly drought-tolerant. Can be coppiced.

No notable associations where introduced.

In native range, threatened by human development and wildfires.

Ornamental that may thrive in north-west Europe under a warming climate. Timber is low value.