Turkish filbert (Corylus colurna, Sp. Pl.: 999 (1753))

Family: Betulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 999 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Corylus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Europe to N. Iran

Description

The Turkish filbert, scientifically known as Corylus colurna, is a distinguished member of the Betulaceae family. Documented in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus (often abbreviated as L.), this species has a rich botanical history.

Native to Southeast Europe extending to Northern Iran, the Turkish filbert thrives in diverse climatic conditions within this expansive geographic range. Its resilience and adaptability have made it a prominent species for both ecological and ornamental purposes.

This robust deciduous tree is notable for its symmetrical, pyramidal shape and can reach impressive heights. It boasts a distinctive bark that is corky and fissured, providing a unique textural interest. The foliage consists of broad, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges, offering a lush, green canopy that transitions to rich yellows in the autumn months.

Corylus colurna is particularly valued for its production of edible nuts, commonly known as filberts or hazelnuts. These nuts are encased in a hard shell and enveloped by a leafy husk. Renowned for their rich flavor and nutritional content, they are a significant harvest in many cultures within its native regions.

Ecologically, the Turkish filbert plays a crucial role in its native habitats. It provides food and shelter for various wildlife species, contributing to the biodiversity of the areas it inhabits. Its deep root system also helps in soil stabilization, making it an invaluable species for erosion control.

Cultivators and gardeners often select Corylus colurna for its aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements. Its resistance to diseases common in other hazelnut species further underscores its desirability in both urban and rural landscape designs.

In summary, the Turkish filbert is a versatile and enduring species that holds both ecological and economic significance. Its historical documentation and continued relevance underscore its importance in the botanical world.

Common Names

Deu: baum-hasel, baumhasel, türkische baumhasel, türkische hasel
Eng: byzantine filbert, constantinople-nut, turkish hazel, turkish filbert, turkish hazelnut, clusternut
Fra: coudrier de byzance, coudrier du levant, noisetier de byzance, noisetier de turquie
Spa: avellano de turquía
Ces: líska turecká
Swe: turkhassel, turkisk hassel
Hun: török mogyoró
Nld: boomhazelaar
Cym: collen twrci, cyll twrci
En: Turkish filbert, Turkish hazel, Byzantine filbert, Clusternut, Constantinople-nut, Turkish hazelnut
Ar: بندق تركي
Hy: Տխլենի ծառանման
Az: Ayı fındığı
Be: Ляшчына дрэвападобная
Bg: Турска леска
Hr: Medvjeđa lijeska
Cs: Líska turecká
Da: Tyrkisk Hassel
Nl: Turkse boomhazelaar, Boomhazelaar
Eo: Turkia korilo
Fi: Turkinpähkinäpensas, Nokkapähkinäpensas
Fr: Noisetier de Byzance, Noisetier de Turquie, Coudrier de Byzance, Coudrier du Levant
Ka: Დათვისთხილა
De: Türkische Baumhasel, Türkische Hasel, Baumhasel, Baum-Hasel, Türkische Baum Hasel, Türkische Nuß
El: Αγριοφουντουκιά
Hu: Török mogyoró
It: Nocciolo di Constantinopoli, Nocciuolo di Turchia
Lv: Kokveida lazda
Mk: Дива леска
No: Tyrkerhassel
Os: Мæнгæхсæр
Fa: کریلوس کلورنا
Pl: Leszczyna turecka
Ru: Leščina drevovidnaja, Medvežnij orech, Лещина древовидная
Sr: Mečja leska
Sk: Lieska turecká
Es: Avellano de Turquía, Avellano turco
Sv: Turkhassel, Turkisk hassel
Tr: Ağaç fındığı, Türk fındığı
Uk: Ліщина деревовидна
Cy: Collen Twrci, Cyll Twrci

Synonyms

• Corylus colurna var. bachycarpa (Spach)
• Corylus colurna var. avellanoides (Spach)
• Corylus iberica var. glandulosa (Kem.-Nath.)
• Corylus glomerata ((Aiton) Nois.)
• Corylus avellana var. macrochlamys (Spach)
• Corylus colurna var. glandulifera (A.DC.)
• Corylus iberica (Wittm. ex Kem.-Nath.)
• Corylus colurna var. trichochlamys (Spach)
• Corylus kachetuca (Kem.-Nath.)
• Corylus eggrissiensis (Kem.-Nath.)
• Corylus avellana var. glomerata (Aiton)
• Corylus colurna var. leptochlamys (Spach)
• Corylus cervorum (Petrov)
• Corylus bizantina (Desf.)
• Corylus abchasica (Kem.-Nath.)
• Corylus macedonica (V.Cordus & Gesner ex Strelin)
• Corylus avellana f. glomerata ((Aiton) W.T.Aiton)
• Corylus colurna var. macrochlamys (Spach)
• Corylus nana (Tourrette & Rozier)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 31, 2019 by Rosalind Wood (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2021 by J Bonnemayer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2017 by leo h. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Jean-Louis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (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.

Flower

Taken Feb 9, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2021 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by mohammad fazel dehkordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Jardins de Montchat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Franz Muz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2875968)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295453-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Corylus colurna L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth

Bloom months: [‘jan’, ‘feb’, ‘mar’]