Common Name: Manchurian Hazel

General Information

Corylus sieboldiana mandschurica is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible seed and can be grown as an ornamental..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeastern Siberia, Russian Far East, northeast China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

An understorey in deciduous, mixed and coniferous woods[]. Temperate forests, thickets; at elevations from 400 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is very frost resistant[].
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[]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[, ].
This species is closely allied to Corylus cornuta, and often bears good crops of seeds in Britain[].
Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. Rich in oil. The conical nuts are around 12 - 15mm long, produced in clusters of three to four[].
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

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.