The kermes oak (lat. Quercus coccifera) is a species of oak that is native to the Mediterranean countries. It is an evergreen shrub. Its scientific name coccifera is due to the red grains that insects deposit on its leaves. These granules have been used over the years to produce a red dye. It is the most common species of oak in Greece.

The oak forests are usually used as pastures, while in the past they have undergone intensive logging resulting in their degradation into shrubs or forest meadows.

FILOTIS - Databank for the Greek Nature