This is actually the dried bract, all that remains of what would have been a long cluster of leafy bracts bearing fruit (seeds). Now it is tissue thin but still very attractive. We have only one blue beech in the garden, and it has flourished and done well since being planted about 15 years ago. Despite the name, this is not related to beech trees, but is in fact, in the birch family (Betulaceae). Other names include american hornbeam, musclewood (see previous photo), and ironwood. The latter is very confusing because there is in our region another tree that goes by this name.