Hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
- Native to:
- Canada, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States, Virgin Islands
Eric Hunt
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Ostrya
- Species:
- Ostrya virginiana
- USDA Symbol:
- OSVI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★★ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrobasis kylesi, Acrobasis ostryella, Acrobasis sylviella, Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Bethune's Pinion (Lithophane bethunei), Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), Caloptilia ostryaeella, Cameraria lentella, Cameraria ostryarella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Cinnamon Tussock Moth (Dasychira cinnamomea), Coleophora ostryae, Colocasia flavicornis, Confused Morrisonia (Morrisonia confusa), Curve-lined looper (Lambdina fervidaria), Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria), Eumarozia malachitana, eyed baileya moth (Baileya ophthalmica), fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), false prominent (Schizura leptinoides), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hethemia pistasciaria, hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Interrupted Dagger Moth (Acronicta interrupta), Io moth (Automeris io), Lace-winged zale (Zale minerea), Linden looper (Erannis tiliaria), Luna moth (Actias luna), Morrisonia latex, Nason's slug moth (Natada nasoni), Nites ostryella, Norman's Quaker (Crocigrapha normani), oak leaf blotch miner (Cameraria hamadryadella), Obliquebanded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana), Olethreutes fagigemmeana, Olethreutes merrickanum, One-spotted variant moth (Hypagyrtis unipunctata), Orthosia pacifica, Phyllonorycter lucetiella, Phyllonorycter obscuricostella, Phyllonorycter ostryaefoliella, Phyllonorycter tritaenianella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Saddled Prominent (Heterocampa guttivitta), Sleeping Baileya (Baileya dormitans), Sparganothis niveana, Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta), Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), Stigmella corylifoliella, Stigmella ostryaefoliella, Stigmella procrastinella, Stilbosis ostryaeella, Twin-spotted sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis), variegated snout (Hypena palparia), Walnut Sphinx (Amorpha juglandis), white triangle tortrix (Clepsis persicana), white-fringed emerald (Nemoria mimosaria), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Caloptilia ostryaeella, Cameraria lentella, Cameraria ostryarella, Coleophora ostryae, Coptodisca ostryaefoliella, Phyllonorycter obscuricostella, Phyllonorycter tritaenianella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers upland sites with good air circulation
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy; germination occurs in spring.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 140 days
Establishment: O. virginiana is commonly found within temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. * green' seed, harvested before the outer coat has dried, sow immediately; stored seed requires G
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)