American hazelnut
ExplorePlants
American hazelnut
Corylus americana
The American hazelnut is a bushy plant that produces tasty nuts! These nuts are small and round, and they grow in clusters. The leaves are green and have a lovely shape.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The American hazelnut is a multi-stemmed shrub with broad, fuzzy, toothed leaves that turn yellow-orange in fall. In early spring, male catkins hang like slender tassels, while tiny female flowers appear as red tufts. Its edible nuts are encased in distinctive leafy, frilly husks.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyBetulaceaeGenusCorylus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Did you know the fuzzy 'jacket' on a hazelnut helps protect it as it grows?
Its male flowers release clouds of pollen even before its leaves emerge in spring!
Native Americans used strong hazelnut branches to weave sturdy baskets and build shelters!
Wild turkeys and deer love to munch on its crunchy nuts and tender twigs!
Special abilities
Ability
Wind Whisperer
American hazelnut can release clouds of pollen into the wind, allowing it to spread its genes far and wide for reproduction.
Ability
Nutty Nest
American hazelnut has nutritious nuts protected by a leafy husk, which attracts animals to eat and disperse its seeds.
Ability
Root Networker
American hazelnut can spread underground using root suckers, allowing it to form dense thickets for protection and rapid growth.
Ability
Early Bloomer
American hazelnut blooms very early in spring before leaves appear, giving its wind-borne pollen a clear path to travel.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 300-550 cm
- Spread
- 200-400 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Feeds on the nutritious hazelnuts
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on its leaves and twigs
eats
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
Consumes its buds during winter
shelters
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dendroica coronata
Uses branches for nesting and foraging
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Nut Bearing
Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before eating any nuts you find in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is American hazelnut?
300-550 cm
How wide does American hazelnut spread?
200-400 cm
How big are the flowers on American hazelnut?
1-5 cm
When does American hazelnut bloom?
Early spring
Is American hazelnut edible?
Yes
Is American hazelnut toxic?
None
What is American hazelnut's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is American hazelnut pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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