Acorn

It is a fruit of the oak tree which is composed of a nut and a cup or involucre. The nut develops from the ovary of the female flower. The young ovary normally has three carpels each of which bears two or three ovules. Only one of the ovules ripens into a nut; the others abort and remain associated with the integument of the functional ovule. Thus the mature nut is celled and one-seeded. The acorn cup varies in different species from a deep cup-shaped to a shallow saucer-shaped structure formed by the hardened scales of the involucre.

The edible acorns of several species are used as food for human beings, especially in Asia. Lumber of oak trees is used for furniture, building and flooring. The bark is the source of cork used for sealing containers and insulation purposes. The insect galls on leaves of oak trees are used in ink manufacture and the leaves of several Asian species are used to rear silk-worms.

Benefit and uses of Acorn.

• Acorns contain large amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fats, as well as the minerals calcium, phosphorus and potassium, and the vitamin niacin.