Common Name: Japanese Hazel

General Information

Corylus sieboldiana is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 5 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Related to the common hazelnut (Corylus avellana), it is sometimes cultivatd for its edible seeds and is also used as a rootstock for that species. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Corylus sieboldiana has a wide distribution and is described as common. There are no reported major threats facing this species across its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

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

Habitat

Mixed forests and in open sites´338[.

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[, ].
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 short-conical nuts are around 6 - 8mm long, produced in clusters of one to three[].
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.