| Ostryopsis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Genus: | Ostryopsis Decne. |
| Species | |
|
Ostryopsis davidiana |
|
Ostryopsis is a small genus of two species of deciduous shrubs belonging to the birch family Betulaceae. The species have no common English name, though Hazel-hornbeam has been suggested, reflecting their similarities to the closely related Hazels and Hop-hornbeams.
The genus is native in western China and Mongolia. They are shrubs reaching 3-5 m tall, with alternate, double-toothed hazel-like leaves 2-7 cm long. The flowers are produced in spring, with separate male and female catkins. The fruit form in clusters 3-5 cm long with 6-10 seeds; each seed is a small nut 4-6 mm long, fully enclosed in a sheath-like involucre.