Plantcompass

General Information

Family: Birch Family (Betulaceae)
Flowering period in Central Europe: Early to full spring
Months: 3–5

Allergy potential
Low allergenicity.

Cross-reactions
Hop Hornbeam pollen can cause cross-reactions in individuals sensitized to other birch family members (birch, alder, hazel).

Botanical Information

Distribution
From Eastern North America to Honduras, East Asia, in the central and eastern Mediterranean region, and along the Black Sea coast. Habitats — Plains to middle mountainous regions.

Morphology
Habit — Tree or shrub. Foliage — Summer-green, leaves irregularly serrated. Reproduction — Male flowers in hanging catkins (resembling hazel), female flowers in racemes, resembling hops (hence the name).

Commonly occurring species in Europe

European hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia).
Habit — Tree. Distribution — Southern Carinthia and South Tyrol. Pollen can be transported in relevant quantities to Austria through long-distance transport from the Mediterranean region. Flowering period in Europe — March to April.