California hazelnut
Corylus cornuta var. californica

Family: Betulaceae.

Type: Deciduous shrub with multiple stems that grow in a cluster from the base.

Branching: Alternate.

Leaves: Simple and doubly serrate (small serrations on larger serrations). Soft and fuzzy.

Twig: Hairy and light to medium brown. The twigs zig-zag from one node to the next, which is a good identifying characteristic.

Flower & Fruit: Male flower is a catkin similar to that of the tanoak when mature. Female flowers are small and unremarkable, petalless with red stigmas. Fruit is a yellow-brown nut (the hazelnut), with a dry paper bract surrounding it.

Miscellaneous: It is found from the Sierras to the coast up to about 2000 meters, and is endemic to California. California hazelnut flowers in late fall to winter, which is somewhat unusual. It is a common understory shrub in shady, moist areas.





All photos and text ©2008 Ben Haller. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these photos for any non-commercial or non-profit use as long as this original copyright notice is retained.