Carpinus japonica
Common name: 
Japanese Hornbeam
Pronunciation: 
kar-PI-nus ja-PON-i-ka
Family: 
Betulaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous tree, 20-30 ft (6-9 m), often multi-stemmed, wide spreading branches.  Leaves alternate, simple, ovate-oblong, 5-11 cm long, acuminate, base rounded to weakly cordate, margin doubly serrate, 20-24 deeply impressed vein pairs, dark green in summer, yellowish in fall.  Male and female flowers in separate clusters (catkins) on the same tree.  Fruit catkin slender stalked, 5-6 cm long, composed of overlapping bracts, each about 2 cm long; nutlet covered by branchlets opposite the bract.
  • Sun to shade.  tolerates various soil types, best in moist well drained soil.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (4)5    Native to Japan
  • Portland, Oregon: Elk Rock Garden, 11800 SW Military Lane.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: in parking lot southwest of Reser Stadium, NE of Womens Bldg.(near sidewalk).
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • fruiting branches

    fruiting branches

  • leaves and fruit clusters

    leaves and fruit clusters

  • shoot, leaf and fruit, comparison

    shoot, leaf and fruit, comparison

  • leaf and fruit, comparison

    leaf and fruit, comparison

  • leaves, fall

    leaves, fall

  • twig and buds, winter

    twig and buds, winter