Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

American hophornbeam, eastern hophornbeam, ironwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ostrya virginiana

Family:

Betulaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

20-30 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Yellow fall color. Blooms in spring (inconspicuous). Fruits ripen in summer.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Fall Color, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Small specimen tree. Also good as an understory tree. While rarely grown, this plant is very worth of use in the landscape.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed. Occasionally available as a containerized plant.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Slightly acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Seeds are not popular with most birds, but it provides good cover.

Native Habitats:

Dry-mesic deciduous woods. Hammocks, bluff microsites.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The wood is noted as being very strong, hence the common name "ironwood"



Does not do well much south of its natural range.