Taxonomy
Clade | angiosperm |
Family | Betulaceae |
Genus | Carpinus |
Species | caroliniana |
Common Name | musclewood, bluebeech |
iTree Code | CACA18 |
Plant Form
Form | Tree: rounded crown |
Height | 30 feet |
Spread | 20 feet |
Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
Foliage | long, oval with pointed tip, finely serrated edge and V-shaped veins |
Leaf Type
|
Simple |
Bark | thin, smooth gray; rippled wood, gives the trunk & branches a “muscled” appearance |
Bud | small pointed, reddish/brown with distinct overlapping scales (imbricate) |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
Twig | gray/brown, slender, zig-zag |
Flower | catkins green/yellow; male: are slender and pendulous (formed same year); female: are shorter; male and female on the same tree (monoecious) |
Fruit | a leafy bract hanging groups with a small nutlet underneath in a "stacked" bunch |
Fall Color | red, orange, yellow |
Site Characteristics
USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
Min | 3b |
Min | 4.0 |
Soil | Intolerant |
Max | 9a |
Max | 7.4 |
Spray | Intolerant |
Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
Tolerant |
Intolerant |
No |
Species Status
Nebraska Native |
|
U.S. Native |
|
Region of Origin | United States, Canada |
More Information | Visit External Site |