Fagus sylvatica the oriental beech ("Fagus orientalis"), which replaces it further east. In the Balkans, it shows some hybridisation with oriental beech; these hybrid trees are named "Fagus" × "taurica". In the southern part of its range around the Mediterranean, it grows only in mountain forests, at altitude. Although often regarded as native in southern England, recent evidence suggests that "F. sylvatica" did not arrive in England until about 4000 BC, or 2,000 years "after" the English Channel formed after the ice ages; it could have been an early introduction by Stone age humans, who used the nuts for food. The beech
Luzula sylvatica fruit is a 3-valved capsule containing three oblong seeds. Each seed is indistinctly reticulate, often with a caruncle (a basal or apical appendage); seeds tend to germinate close to their parent plant. "Luzula sylvatica" has a wide distribution, and is native to Europe (the European temperate element of flora ) and southwest Asia - including the British Isles where "L. sylvatica" populations are widespread stable, apart from a decline in central and south east England. There is one record of "L. sylvatica" from Washington State, United States of America. Usually growing in partial to full shade, "Luzula sylvatica" tends to