Taxonomy
Clade | angiosperm |
Family | Betulaceae |
Genus | Ostrya |
Species | virginiana |
Common Name | ironwood, hophornbeam |
iTree Code | OSVI |
Plant Form
Form | Tree: |
Height | 30 feet |
Spread | 15 feet |
Deciduous | Yes |
Identification Description
Foliage | green, oblong to oval with pointed tip, doubly serrated, short petiole |
Leaf Type
|
Simple |
Bark | tan/brown with thin vertical strips |
Bud | brown/red, or green, pointed, with overlapping scales (imbricate) |
Bud Arrangement
|
Alternate |
Twig | slender, light gray to tannish brown or reddish brown, zig-zag appearance |
Flower | male: performed catkins in group of 3, green tinged with red: female: catkins develop singly from new growth, greenish with red stigmas; male and female on same trees (monoecious) |
Fruit | nutlet inside an air-bladder, groups stacked in hanging clusters, noticeably hairy |
Fall Color | yellow |
Site Characteristics
USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
Min | 3a |
Min | 4.1 |
Soil | Intolerant |
Max | 11a |
Max | 7.5 |
Spray | Intolerant |
Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
Tolerant |
Moderate |
No |
Species Status
Nebraska Native |
|
U.S. Native |
|
Region of Origin | United States, Canada, Mexico |
More Information | Visit External Site |