(I found this large round growth, which when dry closely resembles a dried gourd, on a garry oak [Quercus garryana] at the Fort Eaton monument. It's an immunoreaction to the larvae of a tiny parasitic wasp, and is one of hundreds of these ping-pong-to-tennis-ball-sized globes that litter the branches and ground in the oak grove there.
When dried, oak apples yield a brown powder that's almost pure tannin, and was an important industrial resource in times past. Apart from tanning and dyeing, it was an essential ingredient of most quality ink produced from the invention of the pen through the 19th century. Iron gall ink continues to outperform many modern competitors, and is still used by calligraphers, among others.)
Appearing also on My Corner of the World.
When dried, oak apples yield a brown powder that's almost pure tannin, and was an important industrial resource in times past. Apart from tanning and dyeing, it was an essential ingredient of most quality ink produced from the invention of the pen through the 19th century. Iron gall ink continues to outperform many modern competitors, and is still used by calligraphers, among others.)
Appearing also on My Corner of the World.
An apple a day
ReplyDeleteHo odd looking - first thought it was an unripened tomato - should have known, because the leaves don't match:) Have a great Wednesday! Jeshie2
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! The things I learn in blogland :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see your link at My Corner of the World this week!