C. betulus, the common hornbeam, our only native species, has smooth light, grey bark, which with its foliage resembles those of the beech; but the leaves are pointed and duller. Its timber is' dense, white, and tough, giving its name to the tree. It is used for wooden mill-cogs, and furnishes excellent fuel and gunpowder charcoal. American species, C. americana, is known as iron-wood, blue beech, or water beech.
Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Hornbeam, Carpinus, a small genus of deciduous trees belonging to the order Corylaceee.