Ostryopsis

Ostryopsis is a small genus 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.

Not to be confused with Ostreopsis.

Ostryopsis
Ostryopsis davidiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Subfamily: Coryloideae
Genus: Ostryopsis
Decne.

The genus is native to China.[1] 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.[2]

The local people in Northeast China has found hazelnuts of Ostryopsis davidiana and Corylus mandshurica are more delicious than that of common hazels and Asian hazels, and the cuisine "stir-fried huozhenzi" (火榛子) are popular. However, their hazelnuts are far more expensive than common and Asian hazelnuts.

Species[1]
  • Ostryopsis davidiana Decne. - widespread from Sichuan to Liaoning
  • Ostryopsis intermedia B.Tian & J.Q.Liu - Yunnan
  • Ostryopsis nobilis Balf.f. & W.W.Sm. - Sichuan, Yunnan

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Flora of China - Ostryopsis
Wikispecies has information related to Ostryopsis.
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