Corylus americana Walter

American Hazelnut; American Filbert

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

American Hazelnut is a deciduous colonial shrub in the Birch family (Betulaceae). It is found primarily in the northern third of Alabama. American Hazelnut grows on floodplains and in rich mesic woods. It is a thicket forming shrub that grows to ten feet in height. It has alternate, doubly toothed leaves. The leaves are from three to six inches in length and from one to three inches in width. The leaves and stems are pubescent with stiff glandular hairs. American Hazelnut is monoecious—having separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers are produced in yellow-green catkins that are from two to three inches in length. The female flowers are very small and inconspicuous. Only the red stigmas and styles of the female flowers appear outside of the bud. The fruit is an edible nut that is enclosed in a papery husk. It is similar to the European filbert, but smaller in size. Fall color is variable in shades of green, yellow, orange, and purple-red. American Hazelnut is sometimes available from nurseries. It can also be grown from seed or from root suckers. It prefers a moist loamy soil in full sun for best development.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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