Corylus americana - American hazel

Corylus americana, better known as American hazel, belongs to the family of Betulaceae and is widespread in North America. The shrub is known for its edible nuts, which are important for both the local wildlife and people. Corylus americana is valued due to its robustness and adaptability in landscape design and is also significant for its ecological role in different habitats.

Morphology and appearance

Corylus americana is occasionally higher. The plant has a wide -bush growth shape and often forms several trunks, which leads to a dense, expansive habit. The bark is smooth and light gray to brownish, with a light strip formation that can become rougher with the age.

The leaves of the American hazelnut are changeable, oval to heart -shaped and show serrated edges. The leaf surface is often slightly hairy and has a medium -green color that turns into an attractive yellow tone in autumn. The leaves can become up to 10 cm long and give the shrub a dense, compact appearance.

A special feature of the plant is the flower, which appears in early spring, before the leaves are thrown out. The male flowers stand in long, hanging kittens that are about 5 to 7 cm long and have a golden yellow color. The female flowers are more inconspicuous and consist only of small buds with red scars that protrude slightly above the buds. The pollination is carried out by the wind, which is typical for the hazelnut plants.

In late summer until autumn, Corylus americana developed the characteristic hazelnuts, which are enclosed in a felt shell, the so -called fruit cup. The nuts themselves are rounded and have a diameter of about 1 to 2 cm. They are edible and rich in nutrients, which makes them equally attractive to humans and animals.

Distribution and habitat

Corylus americana is native to North America and is particularly found in the eastern and central regions of the United States and Canada. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including forests, forest edges, prairies and along river banks. The plant prefers well -permeable, humus -rich soils and grows in areas with a moderate climate. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade, with nut production the highest under sunny conditions.

Due to its adaptability, the American hazelnut can assert itself in different ground and climate conditions. It is resistant to drought and can tolerate occasional floods, which makes it particularly resistant to environmental changes.

Ecological meaning and use

The ecological advantages of Corylus americana are diverse. The plant offers numerous animals food and protection. The nuts are an important source of food for many wild animals, including squirrels, birds and small mammals. The dense, branched shrubs also offer a protected habitat for nesting birds and smaller animals that are looking for protection against predators.

For humans, the American hazelnut is of interest primarily because of its edible fruits. The nuts are rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and can be consumed raw or roasted. They are also used in traditional medicine and are considered beneficial for health. The hazelnut shrub bark and leaves occasionally apply in naturopathy.

In landscape design, Corylus americana is estimated due to its attractive autumn leaves and its easy -care nature. The shrub is ideal for wild gardens and natural hedges because it requires little care and offers good erosion control on slopes. It is also popular as an ornamental plant because the kittens in spring and the yellow autumn leaves are visually appealing.

Care and location requirements

Corylus americana is a robust plant that requires little care. It prefers well drained, slightly acid to neutral floors and thrives best at sunny to partially shaded locations. The plant produces more nuts in full -sundays, but it can also be cultivated well in partially shaded areas. The plant is hardy and survives temperatures up to about -30 ° C, which makes it suitable for cold climate zones.

A slight pruning in late winter can help control the growth shape and to promote growth of new shoots. Regular irrigation is only necessary in very dry summers, since Corylus americana usually has good drought resistance.