Family: Betulaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 998 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Corylus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Caucasus
Description
The European filbert, scientifically known as Corylus avellana, is a significant member of the Betulaceae family. Described in detail by Carolus Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this deciduous shrub has a prominent place both ecologically and agriculturally across its wide range from Europe to the Caucasus.
Widely recognized for its edible nuts, commonly referred to as hazelnuts, the European filbert is a storied plant with deep roots in its native regions. Historically, these nuts have been harvested for their rich nutritional content, notable for their high oil content and pleasant taste. Today, they continue to be a vital component of various culinary traditions worldwide, featuring prominently in confections, spreads, and as a nutritious snack.
In the wild, Corylus avellana flourishes in a variety of habitats, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability. It typically prefers well-drained, fertile soils and can often be found in mixed woodlands, hedgerows, and even roadside embankments, where the thick clusters of leaves provide important cover and food for wildlife. The dense, heart-shaped foliage also offers shelter for numerous bird species and small mammals.
The European filbert is a medium-sized shrub, often growing to heights of 3 to 8 meters, enough to form a substantial understory presence in larger forest settings. It produces yellowish-brown catkins in early spring, which serve as the male reproductive structures, while the inconspicuous female flowers manifest as small, bud-like growths that eventually give rise to clusters of nuts enveloped in papery husks by late summer or early autumn.
This shrub also has significant cultural importance. Since ancient times, it has been used symbolically and practically in various European traditions. Twigs of the filbert have been employed in dowsing practices, and its wood is valued for its flexibility and strength, making it useful in crafting sturdy tools and hurdles.
In modern botanical studies and horticultural pursuits, the European filbert is appreciated not only for its economic value but also for its role in biodiversity and habitat restoration projects. Its ability to grow in diverse environments aids in stabilizing soils and providing green cover, which is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
In summary, Corylus avellana remains a plant of great agricultural, ecological, and cultural significance. Its enduring presence from Europe to the Caucasus underscores its adaptability and the vital roles it plays across various landscapes and communities.
Common Names
Fin: (euroopan)pähkinäpensas
Swe: (euroopan)pähkinäpensas, filberthassel, hassel, vanlig hassel
Dan: almindelig hassel, hassel
Eng: barcelona-nuts, common filbert, european filbert, european hazel, cobnut, common hazel, filbert, giant filbert, hazel, hazelnut, european hazelnut
Deu: europäische hasel, gemeine hasel, haselnuß, haselstrauch, lambertnuß, lambertshasel, gewöhnliche hasel
Por: avelaneira, aveleira, avelã
Fra: avelinier, coudrier, noisetier, noisetier commun, noisetier franc, noisetier tubuleux, avelline
Spa: avellano, avellano de lambert
Ita: avellano, nocciolo, nocciuola
Nor: halt
Nob: hassel
Nno: hassel
Nld: hazelaar
Cym: coll-lwyn, collen, collwyn, cyll, pren cnau
Gla: calltainn
En: European filbert, European hazel, Hazel, Barcelona-nuts, Giant filbert, Filbert, Cobnut, Common filbert, European hazelnut, Alunu, Common Hazel, Noglâr, Hazelnut, Corcscrew Hazel
Af: Haselneut, Haselaar
Sq: Lajthia
Ar: بندق شائع
Hy: Սառապուու
Az: Adi fındıq
Ba: Сәтләүек ағасы
Eu: Hurritz
Be: Ляшчына звычайная
Bs: Lijeska
Bg: Обикновена леска
Ca: Avellaner, Auran
Zh: Ou zhen, 欧榛, 歐榛
Hr: Lijeska, Lješnjak, Obična lijeska
Cs: Líska obecná
Da: Hassel, Almindelig Hassel
Nl: Hazelaar, Gewone Hazelaar
Et: Harilik sarapuu
Fi: Pähkinäpensas, Euroopanpähkinäpensas, (euroopan)pähkinäpensas
Fr: Coudrier, Avelinier, Noisetier, Noisetier franc, Noisetier tubuleux, Avelline, Noisetier commun
Gl: Abeleira
Ka: Ჩვეულებრივი თხილი
De: Haselnuß, Haselstrauch, Lambertnuß, Lambertshasel, Gewöhnliche Hasel, Gemeine Hasel, Europäische Hasel, Hasel, Haselbusch, Wald Hasel
He: אגוז לוז
Hu: Európai mogyoró, Közönséges mogyoró
Is: Hesliviður
Io: Avelano
Ia: Avellaniero
It: Avellano, Nocciolo, Nocciuola, Nocciòlo, Nocciolo comune
Ko: 유럽개암나무
Lv: Lazda
Lt: Paprastasis lazdynas
Lb: Hieselter
Mk: Обична леска
No: Hassel, Halt
Nb: Hassel
Nn: Hassel
Oc: Avelanièr, Avelhanièr, Avelanièr comun
Fa: فندق
Pl: Leszczyna, Leszczyna pospolita
Pt: Aveleira, Avelã, Avelaneira
Pt-br: Avelaneira
Qu: Iwrupa awillanu
Ro: Alun
Ru: Leščina, Orešnik obyknovennaja, Лещина обыкновенная
Sc: Rintzola
Gd: Calltainn
Sr: Леска
Sk: Lieska obyčajná
Es: Avellano, Avellano de Lambert, Navadna leska
Sv: Filberthassel, Hassel, (euroopan)pähkinäpensas, Vanlig hassel
Tl: Abelyana
Zh-tw: 歐榛
Zh-hant: 歐榛
Tr: Adi fındık
Uk: Ліщина звичайна
Wa: Côrî
Cy: Collen, Coll-Lwyn, Collwyn, Cyll, Pren Cnau
Synonyms
- Corylus sylvestris (Salisb.)
- Corylus avellana var. sylvestris (Aiton)
- Corylus avellana subsp. memorabilis ((Sennen) Sennen)
- Corylus avellana subsp. sylvestris (Ehrh.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Azores (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 28, 2018 by maritomaat (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 13, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 13, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 24, 2022 by mohammad fazel dehkordi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 16, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 17, 2022 by T L (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 17, 2022 by T L (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 13, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 12, 2018 by Javier González (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 24, 2022 by Rvt 063 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Hugo Tellier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Fresno Conrado (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2017 by Yannick Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 21, 2021 by james Green (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Andreas Harnischfeger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2019 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Archanaa Mignet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2875979)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295446-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Corylus avellana L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree, Shrub
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘jan’, ‘feb’, ‘mar’]
Soil nutriments: 6