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Corylus americana
Corylus americana Walter
American Hazelnut, American Filbert
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Synonym(s): Corylus americana var. indehiscens
USDA Symbol: COAM3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A dense, mound-shaped, thicket-forming shrub, usually 6-12 ft. tall. Yellowish-brown catkins are showy in late winter and early spring. The female bloom is obscure. Edible nut with ragged papery husk. Fall color varies from bright yellow to deep wine-red.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Light brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: S. ME to Sask., s. to GA & e. OK
Native Habitat: Thickets; upland forests; rocky hillsides; pastures
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Various moist to dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Can be pruned anytime. Tends to sucker from the roots and must often be thinned out. No extensive disease or insect problems.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Nuts eaten by birds and squirrels.Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. Rooting percentages for cuttings are usually low.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Edible Plants for North Georgia
January 10, 2010
We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains.
Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | UPL | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Corylus americana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Corylus americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Corylus americana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-17Research By: TWC Staff