The tree has a conical or rounded shape, with dark green ovate leaves, up to 10cm long, and double-toothed. In autumn it develops yellow male catkins and white fruits, which turn brown. The name derives from the Greek òstreion, due to the resemblance to shells. It grows in central-southern Europe, from the submountain area up to 1200m above sea level. The plant is used to produce high-quality firewood and charcoal. Broadly conical to rounded tree with tomentose shoots and dark green, ovate, double-toothed, shiny leaves, up to 10cm long, with 15-20 pairs of veins, yellow in the autumn season. In autumn, the yellow, reclining male catkins develop, up to 7cm long, and open in mid-spring. During the summer, bunches of white fruits develop, 5cm long, which turn brown in autumn. The name derives from the Greek òstreion, meaning shell, as the bracts that surround the fruits are swollen and dilated like the valves of a shell. The black hornbeam has a central-southern European range, from the south of France to Asia Minor and the Caucasus. It becomes part of the thermophilic broad-leaved forests of the submontane and mountain horizons, reaching up to 1200m above sea level. The plant is used to produce good quality firewood and charcoal.