hop hornbeam

noun

any of several Eurasian and North American trees of the genus Ostrya, of the birch family, especially O. virginiana, bearing hoplike fruiting clusters.

Origin of hop hornbeam

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

The fine, delicate spray of the hop hornbeam is a fairy net whose every mesh is fringed with immaculate beauty.
Some Winter Days in Iowa | Frederick John Lazell
The great tangle of vine and lace work mixed with snow is young hop hornbeam, supporting honeysuckle.
Some Winter Days in Iowa | Frederick John Lazell
Comparisons: The blue beech or hornbeam is often confused with the ironwood or hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana).
Studies of Trees | Jacob Joshua Levison
It is known as ironwood, hop-hornbeam, leverwood, and hardhack.
American Forest Trees | Henry H. Gibson
It is often called hornbeam and ironwood, and it is closely related to hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana).
American Forest Trees | Henry H. Gibson

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