NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Carpinus caroliniana

American Hornbeam, Ironwood, Musclewood, Blue Beech

Scientific Name:	Carpinus caroliniana
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. Var. virginiana (Inland American Hornbeam): Rich cove forests, streambanks, riverbanks, bottomland forests, lower slopes. Common in NC mountains and piedmont.
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
Male catkins emerge in mid-March before the tree leafs out. Will Stuart
Female catkins are much smaller with emerging bright red pistils. Leaves are elliptical to ovate, doubly serrate. Will Stuart
A well-maintained grouping of Carpinus caroliniana at the North Carolina Arboretum. Will Stuart
Colorful new Spring leaves Garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record 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/ https://nc.audubon.org/700