Carpinus orientalis

Current view recognises two subspecies: C. orientalis subsp. orientalis, the nominate form, occurs across Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus. In Iran, to the south of the Caspian Sea, is replaced by C. orientalis subsp. macrocarpa, which is distinguished from the nominate form by larger leaves, fruits and pollen, and is sometimes treated as a distinct species, Carpinus macrocarpa. Even though Oriental hornbeam is not particularly closely related to common hornbeam—both being grouped in different subsections of section Carpinus—and have different ploidy levels, they do appear to hybridise in the Caucasus, resulting in the hybrid species Carpinus × schuschaensis. ==Description==

Oriental hornbeam is usually a small tree, rarely over 10 m tall and often shrubby. It may, however, also grow to become a substantial tree of up to 20 m height. In comparison to common hornbeam, it is characterised by a generally smaller stature and smaller leaves, which are only 3–5 cm in length. The seeds have a simple bract, not trilobed like Carpinus betulus, that is about 2 cm long. == Distribution ==

Oriental hornbeam assumes an extensive but patchy distribution in the central and eastern Mediterranean, Anatolia, the Caucasus and Hyrcania in Iran. Generally, its distribution matches the southeastern part of that of common hornbeam, but Oriental hornbeam penetrates deeper into southern Italy and Greece. In Europe, the species is broadly distributed in the southern half of Italy, on the Adriatic coast and in the Balkans, chiefly south of the Danube. In Asia, its distribution becomes patchier in coastal Anatolia, but it also occurs across the Caucasus and the Hyrcanian forest regions. ==Gallery==

File:Carpinus orientalis bark.jpg|Bark File:Келяв габър – съцветия 3.jpg|Male flowers File:Келяв габър – нови листа 4.jpg|New leaves File:Келяв габър – женски цветове 2.jpg|Female flower File:Καρπίνος ο ανατολικός, Carpinus orientalis (καρπός), Όλυμπος, Πιερία 29 -10-2008.jpg|Ripe fruit File:Carpinus orientalis buds.jpg|Leaf bud File:Carpinus orientalis kz.jpg|Foliage and fruit ;Cultivation In recent years, this species has been extensively used as an ornamental tree for bonsai. ==References==