Corylus avellana L. – Family Corylaceae

General Characteristics

A deciduous shrub reaching up to 7 meters in height, branched from the base, with an irregular crown. 

The leaves are deciduous, simple, petiolate, with an ovate, serrated blade, acuminate at the tip, and tomentose on the underside. 

The flowers are unisexual: the male flowers are in pendulous catkins, the female flowers in erect clusters with two purple styles; flowering occurs in winter, before the leaves emerge. 

The fruits are globose achenes, in clusters of 2-5, covered by two lobed bracts, with a woody pericarp and oily endocarp.

USES

The species is primarily cultivated for its oily fruits.  It is a honey-producing plant.  It is also suitable for truffles.

CURIOSITIES

The genus name comes from "Koris" and refers to the helmet that covers the fruit.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A wild species in Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia Minor. The term "hazel" comes from Avellino, where the species was already cultivated during Roman times.