This week we are taking a look at
Ostrya virginiana. Now is the right time of year to see why it's called the
hop hornbeam tree. The "hop" comes from the tree's papery fruit coverings, which resemble
hops, a critical ingredient used in the production of beer. Right now the hop hornbeam fruit clusters are greenish-white. Look closely or you might miss them; they blend in with the foliage.
 |
| This specimen of Ostrya virginiana was collected from Walter Jacobs Nature Park in 1994. It went in the ground in the fall of 1997. |
 |
| This tree grows in the middle of a slope, above the floodway. A very old Pinus taeda, covered in vines, grows a little bit further down the slope (pictured above on the left). |
 |
| The fruit cluster of Ostrya virginiana resembles hops. Each papery husk encloses a nutlet. |
 |
| The fruit clusters are abundant, but their greenish-white color makes it easy to overlook them. |
 |
| Branch with leaves and fruits. |
 |
| The leaves of Ostrya virginiana are finely-toothed. |
 |
| Another look at the serrated leaves. |
 |
The outermost layer of this Ostrya virginiana's bark is grey colored with a shredded texture.
Beneath that the color is rusty brown. |
You can see more images of the arboretum's eastern hop hornbeams
here.
For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours (LSU AgCenter)
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
