The common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), from the Betulaceae family, is also known as "false birch". Its root system is fairly shallow, with a few tracer roots, but it is aided by a strong, deep taproot. Its trunk and larger branches are criss-crossed with helical grooves. Its bark has white spots. Its deciduous leaves, about ten centimetres long, are alternate, disticulate, twice toothed, hairless and markedly veined. Its flowers are grouped in inflorescences, in the shape of hanging kittens. Its male and female flowers are found on separate catkins, but both sexes are present on each plant, the common charm being a monoecious species. The male flowers are reduced to stamens. The female flowers have a pistil consisting of a two-lobed ovary topped by two stigmas and have a calyx. Fruits of this tree are woody achenes, attached to a leaf-shaped bract.