Carpinus japonica, a
deciduous tree growing as tall as 15m and 20cm in diameter, inhabits
sunny hills or mountainsides. Leaves are alternate; blades are
5-10cm long, 2.5-4.5cm wide, long oblong shape, with tips pointed,
double serrations on margins, and 20-24 pairs of veins projecting to
the backsides. Surfaces are without hairs, and the backside veins
have long hairs tinging brown. Dioecious: Flowers bloom
simultaneously with the development of the leaves; male
inflorescences, 3-5cm long, hang down from the previous year's
branches, with one male flower beneath bursas. Female inflorescences
hang from the current year's tips or dwarf shoots; female flowers
set themselves two inside the bursas. Bloom time: April. |