Carpinus betulus

The European or common hornbeam in the birch or Betulaceae family, is native to western Asia and central, eastern, and southern Europe.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate-oblong, pointed, a serrated margin (double-toothed), 3–12 cm long, pinnately veined, veins somewhat sunken with prominent opposite and straight veins inset, giving a distinctive corrugated texture.
• Male is a 5 cm long catkin. Female develops into small 7–8 mm long nut, partially surrounded by 3-lobed leafy bracts 3–4 cm long, drooping in pendulous strings of bracts resembling a 'horn' (thus 'hornbeam'), turning brown in early winter and remaining on the tree until spring.