TreeBetulaceae
Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
- Habitat
- Mixed deciduous woodland, often understorey beneath Oak and Beech
- IUCN status
- LCLeast Concern
- Max height
- 30 m
Ecological relationships
Eaten by
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesThe Hawfinch's beak generates approximately 50-70 kg of crushing force, sufficient to split Hornbeam nutlets that no other European passerine can open. This morphological specialisation is one of the most striking examples of beak-seed coevolution in European birds.
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisFeeds on hornbeam nutlets in mixed beech-hornbeam stands.
Mycorrhizal partner of
Summer TruffleTuber aestivumEctomycorrhizal; Hornbeam is a principal host in calcareous European woodlands. Fills the significant gap of Hornbeam having no previous fungal partners in the database.
Hornbeam MilkcapLactarius circellatusNear-obligate ectomycorrhizal partner of Hornbeam; one of the most host-specific Lactarius species in Europe.