Habitat and Range
Hazelnut, also known as Filbert, grows best in moist, shady woods. Like its relatives, Birch and Alder, Hazelnut thrives on moist slopes between 2000 ft and 9500 ft on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada from Tulare County north.
Physical Description
Hazelnut is a spreading shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum height of 15 ft. It has smooth gray-brown bark and obovate leaves. The pubescent leaves resemble Alder and Birch, but Hazelnut has a dinstinctly subcordate (heart-shaped) leaf base and doubly serrate leaf margins. The obvious inflorescence is a catkin (above) in staminate (male) form.This produces pollen. The female inflorescence exists as a terminal bud with two small flowers that form the fruit. The nut is enclosed by a beaked involucre of papery bracts (above-lower right).
Food Uses
Hazelnut is a delcious nut that is easily harvested when it ripens in September and October. The large nut is high in protein and fat and can be eaten raw or roasted. Some people like to use the nut to flavor bread or cookies.
Medicinal Uses
Hazelnut stems are pliable enough to make baskets and strong enough to make a fishing rod. The burned stems make an excellent writing charcoal.
|
