Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Betulaceae>Ostrya virginiana (P. Mill.) K. Koch

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Hophornbeam is a fairly common understory tree, similar to the related American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) but with rough bark and hop-like fruiting clusters.

Jones Co., NC 7/18/2008.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Hophornbeam is especially common in rocky woods and in areas with basic bedrock.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

The leaves are similar in shape to the smooth leaves of American Hornbeam, but are hairy. Another common confustion species is American Hazelnut (Corylus americana).

Jones Co., NC 7/18/2008.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Leaf undersides.

Jones Co., NC 7/18/2008.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Female flowers apear in May.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

The hop-like fruiting clusters are papery and mostly filled with air.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Durham Co., NC 4/1/07.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Male flower clusters (catkins) appear in early spring.

Person Co., NC 4/1/06.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Person Co., NC 4/1/06.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Witches'-brooms, growths of dense clusters of branchlets caused by various pathogens, are very common on Hophornbeam.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

The shreddy bark is quite unlike the smooth, muscular bark of American Hornbeam.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) bark

Bark of a small tree.

Person Co., NC 4/1/06.

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) bark

Bark of a large tree.

Durham Co., NC 6/27/2009.

More information:
Floridata
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
UCONN
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides