Ostrya virginiana | Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum

An eastern hophornbeam outside of the EH Butler Library and Caudell Hall.

The hop-like fruit of an eastern hophornbeam encloses developing seeds.

A closeup of an eastern hophornbeam leaf.

Down from a fledgling bird clings to the male catkins of an eastern hophornbeam.

Scientific name: Ostrya virginiana

Common name: American or Eastern hophornbeam

Native: Yes

Native range: It range includes the eastern United States and extends as south as northern Mexico [1].

Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for O. virginiana.

USDA Zones: 5-9 [3]

Maximum age: It may live up to 280 years [4].

Ecology: Eastern hophornbeam nutlets enclosed in a papery, hop-like sheath are food for game birds, songbirds, and small mammals [3]. The catkins and buds are also consumed, and deer occasionally browse its foliage [1].

Ethnobotany: Various Indigenous American groups have used the tree for a variety of medical applications and as a building material [2]. It is valued as an ornamental, particularly for the unique appearance of its hop-like fruits [1,3].