Photo of Ostrya carpinifolia (Hop hornbeam)

Ostrya carpinifolia - Commonly called European hop hornbeam, is a small to medium deciduous tree that typically matures to 40-50' (less frequently to 70') tall featuring an upright pyramidal shape when young which broadens with age as side-branching develops and the crown rounds. Alternate, glossy, oval, dark green leaves (to 5" long) have pointed tips, rounded bases and doubly serrated edges. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Yellowish-green catkins appear in spring (male to 5" long and female to 2" long). Each female catkin gives way to a pendulous seed cluster (2-3" long) containing 6 to 20 small nutlets. Each nutlet is enclosed in a bladder-like involucre bract. The seed clusters are reminiscent of the hops (Humulus) used to make beer. Nutlets mature in summer. Scaly gray bark.  Family: Betulaceae

Author : Millette Réjean D.
Photo # : 46611
Online since: February 17th 2024