How to identify American hazelnut (Corylus americana)

How to identify American hazelnut (Corylus americana)

American hazelnut, also known as American hazel

American hazelnut is a deciduous shrub that typically grows about 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters) in height. It exhibits rounded leaves with double-serrated edges and a soft, downy texture, particularly on the undersides. The leaves transition to vibrant hues of yellow to fiery red in the fall. This shrub produces clusters of inconspicuous male catkins and tiny red female flowers which later develop into edible nuts encased in a hard shell and leafy, husk-like bracts that resemble helmets.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify American hazelnut

Leaves are rounded with double-serrated edges, transitioning to vibrant yellow to red in fall.

Female flowers have red stigmata, while male flowers are yellow-brown catkins.

Fruit consists of small, green to brown nuts enclosed in textured bracts.

Stems are slender, light green, with short fine hairs for a fuzzy texture.

Bark evolves from smooth gray on younger stems to rugged with deep furrows on older branches.

Detailed Traits of American hazelnut

Leaf Features

American hazelnut's leaves are dark green, up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide. They are oval to elliptical with doubly serrated margins and sparse hairs. The lighter green underside has stiff, short hairs. The fall color varies, showing attractive yellow-red to purple or dull yellow-green hues. The texture is a key feature with slightly hairy surfaces, aiding in plant identification.

Leaf Base

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

The flowers of american hazelnut exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism. Female flowers bloom in clusters from a small, swollen bud surrounded by protective bracts, with only the red stigmata protruding. Male flowers are more conspicuous, appearing as yellow to yellow-brown catkins, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. The blooming period spans from winter to early spring.

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Stem Features

The stems of american hazelnut are slender and multi-stemmed, exhibiting a light green hue. They are characterized by their short, fine hairs that give them a slightly fuzzy texture. The stems are typically 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter and branch out frequently, creating a bushy appearance. This fine hair covering and the light green coloration are distinctive features for identifying the stems of this plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of american hazelnut consists of a small cluster of nuts, each approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) in diameter. Encased in a duo of protective bracts, the nuts start as green and transition to brown as they ripen. The textured bracts provide an additional layer of distinction. These nuts typically make their appearance in late summer to fall, offering a visual treat as they mature on the plant.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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American hazelnut and Their Similar Plants

Common hazel vs. American hazelnut: What's The Difference?

Common hazel (Corylus avellana) is a deciduous shrub species that is cultivated for its edible nuts. Hazelnuts can refer to the nut from any Corylus species, but it most often refers to Corylus avellana. The nuts from common hazel are eaten straight or used in making confectionary. Common hazel is native to Europe and western Asia.

Beaked hazelnut vs. American hazelnut: What's The Difference?

Beaked hazelnut is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America. It is an incredibly cold-hardy shrub and able to withstand freezing temperatures in its northernmost habitat. The fruit of the beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) is edible although very small.

Turkish hazel vs. American hazelnut: What's The Difference?

A deciduous tree native to Europe and Asia, turkish hazel, or Corylus colurna, is the largest species of hazel tree. It is often used in landscaping and is tolerant of pollution in urban areas.

Harry lauder's walking stick vs. American hazelnut: What's The Difference?

Harry lauder's walking stick, or the contorted hazelnut, is an intriguing cultivar with a dramatically curved and twisted branch formation. It’s also known, delightfully, as Harry Lauder’s walking stick, after a 20th-century entertainer best-known for his twisted walking stick. Smaller than many hazels, it grows up to 3 m tall.

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Key Facts About American hazelnut

Attributes of American hazelnut

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

2.5 m to 3.5 m

Spread

2.5 m to 3.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Red

Orange

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 8 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Red

White

Brown

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Scientific Classification of American hazelnut

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Beeches, walnuts, and allied trees

Family

Birch

Genus

Hazels

Species

American hazelnut (Corylus americana)

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Distribution Map of American hazelnut

American hazelnut is native to the temperate woodlands of eastern North America. It has been introduced to other regions as well, marking its presence as a cultivated species. Although details on the specific introduced regions are limited, it is known to be grown outside its native range in places with similar climates.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to American hazelnut How to Grow and Care for American hazelnut