Eastern hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 3 (1768))

Family: Betulaceae

Author: Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 3 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carpinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Hungary to SE. Europe, Krym, Türkiye to Iran

Description

The Eastern hornbeam, scientifically known as Carpinus orientalis, is a resilient and adaptable tree species belonging to the Betulaceae family. Renowned for its hardy nature, the Eastern hornbeam can typically be found thriving across a wide geographical range that extends from southwestern Hungary to southeastern Europe, reaches into the Crimean Peninsula (Krym), and stretches further from Türkiye to the expansive terrains of Iran.

This species was first comprehensively documented in 1768 in the esteemed “Gard. Dict. ed. 8” by the botanist Mill. The Eastern hornbeam is distinguished by its compact, often multi-stemmed growth form and its dense canopy, which provides ample shade. The tree favors rocky and dry soils, demonstrating an impressive degree of drought resistance that allows it to flourish in less fertile environments where other species might struggle.

Leaves of the Eastern hornbeam are typically small, ovate, and serrated, offering a lush green display in the spring and summer months before turning to striking hues of yellow and orange in the autumn. Its bark usually appears smooth and grey when young, becoming more furrowed and textured as the tree ages, adding to its ornamental appeal.

This hornbeam’s ability to withstand varying climatic conditions and poor soils makes it a valuable asset in both urban and rural landscaping, particularly in regions with challenging growing conditions. Its robust nature paired with its aesthetic qualities contributes not only to ecological diversity but also to the beautification of the landscapes it inhabits.

Common Names

Dan: orientalsk avnbøg
Swe: orientalisk avenbok
Eng: oriental hornbeam, eastern hornbeam, turkey hornbeam
En: Eastern Hornbeam, Oriental Hornbeam, Turkey hornbeam
Ar: شرد مشرقي
Hy: Բոխի արևելյան
Az: Şәrq vәlәsi, Dәmirqara
Eu: Ekialdeko xarma
Bg: Келяв габър
Hr: Bijeli grab
Cs: Habr východní
Da: Orientalsk avnbøg
Eo: Orienta karpeno
Fi: Idänvalkopyökki
Ka: Ჯაგრცხილა
De: Orientalische Hainbuche
El: Γαύρος, Γαύρος ανατολικός
Hu: Keleti gyertyán
It: Carpino orientale
Mk: Бел габер
No: Orientagnbøk
Fa: لور
Ru: Граб восточный
Es: Kraški gaber
Sv: Orientalisk avenbok
Tr: Doğu gürgeni
: Eastern hornbeam

Synonyms

• Carpinus nigra (Moench)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Salemme Guido (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Szabó Szabolcs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by Elena Elena Antea Jobač (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 23, 1990 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Boumlik Messaïli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Савченко Никита (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 15, 2022 by Yana Eleutheriadou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Avg Dim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Jo lera (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Salemme Guido (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by pero LJILJA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Савченко Никита (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2021 by bokilo (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Joëlle Pineau (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Wiltrud Kirchberger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2021 by bokilo (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2875780)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295271-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carpinus orientalis Mill.)

Specifications

Growth