The California hazel ( Corylus cornuta subsp. californica ) is most often treated as a variey of the northern species Corylus cornuta . The two may not be very closely related, however, differing conspicuously in habit, leaf shape, pubescence, the presence of glandular hairs, form and size of the involucre, habitat, phytogeography, and various other features. A thorough taxonomic study of this group should be undertaken[].

Common Name: Beaked Hazel

General Information

Corylus cornuta is an open, spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing around 4 - 8 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 15 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is occasionally cultivated as a nut crop and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Corylus cornuta has a wide distribution and there are no known threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].
Corylus cornuta is a weedy species, sometimes considered a pest and ruthlessly destroyed in carefully managed forests within its own range[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to California, Colorado, Alabama and Georgia

Habitat

Dry or moist woodland on hills or mountain slopes[]. Rich thickets, clearings and woodland edges[].
Moist to dry roadsides, edges of woods, fencerows, waste places, and thickets, or as understory in open woodlands; 100--500 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -30°c[]. They thrive in a short growing season[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[, ]. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones[, ]. Does well in a loamy soil[]. Very suitable for an alkaline soil[], but it dislikes very acid soils[]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.8 to 7.5. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[, ].
This species is occasionally cultivated for its edible seed in N. America[] but is of no value in Britain as a seed bearer[]. Plants can bear fruit in 5 - 6 years from seed[].
Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[].
Like Corylus americana Walter, the beaked hazel ( Cornus cornuta subsp. cornuta ) is a weedy shrub and is sometimes considered a pest in carefully managed northern forests[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. Very popular in America, the seed is sweet and well-flavoured with a thin shell[, ]. The seed can be dried and ground into a powder which is added to cereals and used in making bread, pies etc[, ]. Produced in clusters of 2 - 6, the fruit is a light brown, acorn-like nut 10 - 20mm long, wider than it is long[], 277.
The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Medicinal

An infusion of the branches and leaves has been used in the treatment of heart complaints and intestinal disorders[].

A decoction of the bark has been given to children to alleviate teething pain[].

Other Uses

Young sucker shoots are used to make a rope[]. The shoots are soaked in urine first, to make them more pliable[].

A blue dye is obtained from the roots or inner bark when they are steeped in water[, ].

The branches are used in basketry[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[]. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification[]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[].
Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[, ].
Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.