If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Temperate Plants

Gevuina avellana

Molina

Proteaceae

+ Synonyms

Quadria avellana C.F.Gaertn.

Quadria heterophylla Ruiz & Pav

Common Name: Chilean Hazel

No Image.

General Information

Gevuina avellana is an evergreen tree or large shrub with a dense and luxuriant, leafy crown; it can grow up to 12 metres tall[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild as a food and source of wood. It is cultivated as a seed crop in its native Chile and also in New Zealand, and is often grown as an ornamental, being especially valued for its decorative foliage[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

S. America - Chile

Habitat

Wet mountain forests, where it rapidly colonizes cleared areas[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Grows from the snow-line down to the coast along the Pacific coast of the Andes[
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
]. It is seldom found in groups[
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height10.00 m
Growth RateSlow
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gevuina avellana is only hardy in mild winter regions, tolerating occasional temperatures falling to around -10°c when dormant, so long as the wood has fully ripened[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
184
Title
Shrubs.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1989
ISBN
0-330-30258-2
Description
Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The young growth is very sensitive to frost[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. In Britain, it succeeds outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country, growing well in Devon and Cornwall[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
59
Title
Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Publication
 
Author
Thurston.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own observations. Good but rather dated.
].
Requires a lime-free soil and a sheltered position[
182
Title
Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1992
ISBN
0-7195-5043-2
Description
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
]. Requires a well-drained moist fertile soil[
188
Title
The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Brickell. C.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
Year
1990
ISBN
0-86318-386-7
Description
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. Best grown in semi-shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The plant prefers sheltered woodland conditions, especially when growing near the limits of its cold tolerance[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
59
Title
Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Publication
 
Author
Thurston.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own observations. Good but rather dated.
,
166
Title
The Milder Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Taylor. J.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1990
ISBN
 
Description
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun but with plenty of sun from the middle of the morning[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Gevuina avellana has a high potential as a food crop, and is being grown commercially in Chile and New Zealand[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].
Seedlings take some seven years to first production, and an estimated production of 3 - 9 tonnes per hectare of nuts in their shells may be achieved[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].
Cutting-grown trees may set fruit in 3 - 4 years and reach economic volumes in 6 - 7 years[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].
Young seedlings are susceptible to fungal diseases; a survival rate of 30% or less is not uncommon at the nursery stage. Careful management is critical and can make the difference between excellent survival rates (>99%) at some sites and poor rates (<50%) at others[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].
Root development is also critical, making selection of appropriate sites and soils an important factor[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].
A very ornamental plant[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
117
Title
The Book of Edible Nuts.
Publication
 
Author
Rosengarten. jnr. F.
Publisher
Walker & Co.
Year
1984
ISBN
0802707699
Description
A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
]. The flowers are fragrant[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Plants flower and set viable seed every year at Coleton Fishacre in south Devon, UK[
104
Title
The Garden. Volume 111.
Publication
 
Author
RHS.
Publisher
Royal Horticultural Society
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS, including an article on Crambe maritima and another on several species thought to be tender that are succeeding in a S. Devon garden.
]. In general, however, flowering is unreliable in cool temperate zones[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Trees respond well to coppicing.[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
]
The leaves are very variable in shape, ranging from pinnate to bipinnate, the leaflets varying in number from 3 to 30.
There is probably some form of symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil that the plants are dependant upon.
Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[
117
Title
The Book of Edible Nuts.
Publication
 
Author
Rosengarten. jnr. F.
Publisher
Walker & Co.
Year
1984
ISBN
0802707699
Description
A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. A pleasant taste, similar to cob nuts[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
63
Title
Nuts.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
Rather old but still a masterpiece. Has sections on tropical and temperate plants with edible nuts plus a section on nut plants in Britain. Very readable.
,
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. A popular food in Chile where it is often sold in local markets and is a much sought after item of diet[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. The seeds can be used in a variety of confectionery (chocolates, cakes, muesli bars), cereal preparations, roasted nuts or they can be processed into gevuina butter, a high protein flour and a variety of other products[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
]. The seed contains about 12.5% protein, 49.5% oil, 24.1% carbohydrate[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
].
The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].

Other Uses

The seeds can be processed for their valuable oils which has good skin penetrating and UV filtering properties and so can be used in cosmetics, sun creams ec[
1188
Title
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd Plant Factsheets
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.crop.cri.nz
Publisher
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd
Year
2010
ISBN
 
Description
Fact sheets on new and promising crops for New Zealand
].

The seedcase is a source of tannin[
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
].

The wood is light in weight, tough, strong, elastic, but not very durable. Easily worked and able to take a high polish, is used for making furniture, oars, roof-shingles etc[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
117
Title
The Book of Edible Nuts.
Publication
 
Author
Rosengarten. jnr. F.
Publisher
Walker & Co.
Year
1984
ISBN
0802707699
Description
A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
,
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
,
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse.Presoak stored seed for 12 - 24 hours in warm water and so as soon as possible in the year. The seed often germinates well but then sickens and dies, it has been suggested that this is due to the plants need of a symbiotic relationship with a soil-borne fungus. Adding some soil from around a growing plant to the seed compost might improve success rates. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Layering - hard pruning provides lots of material.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Gevuina+avellana>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.