Ostrya
(the old Greek name used by Theophrastus). Hop Hornbeam. ORD. Corylaceae. A small genus (two species) of hardy deciduous trees, closely allied to Carpinus in foliage, but having the female flowers in terminal, drooping catkins, each inclosed in an inflated involucre. They are inhabitants of North temperate regions, one being American. Both the species are best grown from imported seeds--for these do not appear to become ripened in this country--or they can be grafted, using the common Hornbeam as a stock. Almost any soil will suit them.
O. carpinifolia (Hornbeam-leaved). Common Hop Hornbeam. fl. greenish-white. May. l. ovate, acute. h. 30ft. to 40ft. South Europe, 1724. SYN. O. vulgaris (of Willdenow). (Gn. xii. 372.) O. virginica (Virginian).* fl. greenish-white. May. fr. Hoplike, full grown in August. l. ovate-oblong, acuminate, h. 15ft. to 40ft. Eastern United States, 1692.
O. vulgaris (common), of Willdenow. A synonym of O. carpinifolia.