NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam, Ironwood, Musclewood, Blue Beech
Scientific Name: |
Carpinus caroliniana |
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Genus: |
Carpinus |
Species Epithet: |
caroliniana |
Common Name: |
American Hornbeam, Ironwood, Musclewood, Blue Beech |
Plant Type |
Tree |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Betulaceae (Birch Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
12-36 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
Red, Green |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
March, April |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Var. caroliniana (Coastal American Hornbeam): Streambanks, riverbanks, bottomland forests, lower slopes, maritime forests. Uncommon in NC piedmont, common in coastal plain. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
2 varieties in NC. Beautiful trunk shape. |
American Hornbeam is often called musclewood or blue beech because of its smooth, sinewy bark. It is also called musclewood; wood of American Hornbeam is hard and strong, used for tool handles, mallets, and heads of golf clubs. Will Stuart |
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Male catkins emerge in mid-March before the tree leafs out. Will Stuart |
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Female catkins are much smaller with emerging bright red pistils. Leaves are elliptical to ovate, doubly serrate. Will Stuart |
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A well-maintained grouping of Carpinus caroliniana at the North Carolina Arboretum. Will Stuart |
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Colorful new Spring leaves Garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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Links: |
Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carpinus-caroliniana/ Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/carpinus/caroliniana/
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