Ostrya virginiana aka American Hop Hornbeam

Taxonomy

Genus Ostrya Family Betulaceae Order Fagales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Ostrya virginiana, also known as the American hophornbeam, is a small deciduous tree that is native to eastern North America. Its range extends from Nova Scotia to southern Manitoba and eastern Wyoming, and southeast to northern Florida and southwest to eastern Texas. The tree can grow up to 18 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 20-50 centimeters. The bark is brown to gray-brown and shaggy, while the younger twigs and branches are smoother and gray. The leaves are ovoid-acute and pinnately veined, with a doubly serrated margin. The upper surface is mostly hairless, while the lower surface is sparsely to moderately fuzzy. Eastern hop-hornbeam, as it's also known, can be confused with an elm tree due to its overall form and the similarity of its leaves to those of birch trees. It typically grows in dry, rocky forests and sloped areas scattered among the upland and mountains. The tree is slow-growing and only reaches a maximum height of 10 to 15 feet over a 15-year period. Other names for Ostrya virginiana include hardhack, ironwood, and leverwood.

Common names

American Hop Hornbeam, Ironwood, Eastern Hop Hornbeam

How to care for American Hop Hornbeam

Difficulty

Caring for American Hop Hornbeam is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Soil

American Hop Hornbeam loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the American Hop Hornbeam prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The American Hop Hornbeam is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

American Hop Hornbeam’s native range is Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, Nebraska, Florida and Texas.

More info:
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More Species in Ostrya Genus

Ostrya virginiana American Hop Hornbeam