Ostryopsis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ostryopsis |
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| Ostryopsis davidiana | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Subfamily: | Coryloideae |
| Genus: | Ostryopsis Decne. |
Ostryopsis is a small group of shrubs that lose their leaves every year. They belong to the birch family, called Betulaceae. These shrubs don't have a common English name, but some people suggest "hazel-hornbeam." This name helps us remember that they are similar to hazel plants and hop-hornbeams.
Contents
What are Ostryopsis Plants?
Ostryopsis plants are shrubs that usually grow to be about 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet) tall. Their leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. They look a bit like hazel leaves and have double-toothed edges. Each leaf is usually 2 to 7 centimeters (about 1 to 3 inches) long.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of Ostryopsis appear in the spring. They grow in special clusters called catkins. There are separate catkins for male and female flowers on the same plant.
After the flowers, the fruits grow in clusters that are 3 to 5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) long. Each cluster holds 6 to 10 seeds. Every seed is a small nut, about 4 to 6 millimeters long. This little nut is completely wrapped inside a leaf-like cover called an involucre.
Where Do Ostryopsis Plants Grow?
The Ostryopsis genus is native to China. This means they naturally grow there and are found nowhere else in the wild.
Special Hazelnuts in China
In Northeast China, local people enjoy the hazelnuts from Ostryopsis davidiana and Corylus mandshurica. They often say these nuts taste even better than the more common hazelnuts, like the common hazel and Asian hazel. A popular dish there is "stir-fried huozhenzi" (火榛子), which uses these special nuts. However, because they are so popular and perhaps harder to find, these hazelnuts are much more expensive than the common types.
Types of Ostryopsis
There are a few different species (types) of Ostryopsis:
- Ostryopsis davidiana Decne. - This species is found in many places across China, from Sichuan to Liaoning.
- Ostryopsis intermedia B.Tian & J.Q.Liu - This type grows in Yunnan province.
- Ostryopsis nobilis Balf.f. & W.W.Sm. - You can find this species in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
See also
In Spanish: Ostryopsis para niños
