As late summer turns toward fall, ripe fruits can be found throughout the arboretum. Last week we posted pictures of tasty
muscadines, which are to the point of falling from the vine. This week, we are looking at an interesting, but less appetizing fruit.
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| Our tree of the week is an eastern hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), more than 25 years of age. It's pictured center. You can read more about its history on a previous blog post, found here. |
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| This past summer several lower branches began to droop significantly, making the tree more difficult to mow around and reducing ease of access. They were removed. So, it's now a little difficult to inspect the leaves and hanging fruit clusters. |
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| A few of the fruit clusters can still be found on the tree, not too far out of reach. |
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| Fortunately, this week, you can inspect ripe hop hornbeam fruits in the leaf litter. Can you pick out the 'hops' from among the crossvine leaves, loblolly pine straw, and pine cone remnants? |
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| In the leaf litter, you can find the individual paper husks, as well as intact ornamental clusters. Pick some up to take home! |
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| These dry, lightweight seed clusters vary in size. This one measures approximately 2 inches in length. |
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| Hop hornbeam seed clusters aren't appetizing to us, but they are enjoyed by the arboretum's all-too-healthy squirrel population. |
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| Beware: Nearly invisible, prickly 'hairs' cover the husks that might irritate your skin. These irritants go unnoticed at first. |
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| The husk feels empty, but each husk conceals one small, light-brown, narrow nutlet. |
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| Each nutlet measures approximately ¼ inch in length. |
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| Curious about the method of dispersion, a few of the lightweight, papery fruits were thrown in the nearby drainage channel. They float! |
