American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana Walter
Carpinus caroliniana, commonly known as American Hornbeam, is a small hardwood tree in the Betulaceae family. Native to eastern North America, it is found from Minnesota to southern Quebec, east to Maine, and south to Texas and northern Florida. This species is typically found in shaded, moist environments, especially near streams and rivers, and is a common understory tree in riverine and maritime forests.
Description
Carpinus caroliniana, also called blue-beech, ironwood, musclewood, or muscle beech, is part of the genus Carpinus. It is recognized for the sinewy, muscle-like appearance of its trunk. This tree is native to a wide range in eastern North America and is often found in moist, shaded areas. It is a natural component of the understory in riverine and maritime forests. The species was first described in 1788 by Walter and is distributed across several U.S. states and globally.
Other common names
American HornbeamBlue BeechBlue-BeechHornbeamIronwoodMusclewoodWater-Beech
Distribution
Vermont-US · Global · Alabama · Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Ontario · Pennsylvania · Québec
Synonyms
Carpinus caroliniana var. caroliniana