Quercus infectoria is a small tree or shrub with glabrescent leaves, with spiny teeth. This oak tree prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun, and requires moist soil.

The gall nuts of commerce are produced by insects of the genes (Cynips) chiefly with the Quercus infectoria oak of western Asia and Southern Europe.

The galls contain tannic acid (gallo-tannic acid) as the principal constituent (50-70%). The tannic and gallic acids extracted from the galls are often used in dysentery and diarrhea. They are a powerful astringent, used to check diarrhea.