Corylus cornuta californica
California Hazel
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Corylus genus in the family Betulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Genus
- Corylus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 8 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - raw or cooked[5]. Eaten fresh or preserved for winter use[6]. The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[K]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Seed
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fibre is obtained from the inner bark and is used to make paper[7]. The branches are removed in the autumn, the leaves removed and the branches steamed then the fibre is removed[7]. The fibres are cooked for two hours with lye and then put through a blender[7]. It makes a brown paper[7]. The fibre is also used for cordage[7].
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Paper
Environment
- Range
- South-western N. America.
- Habitat
- Damp slopes and banks below 2100 metres in California[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[3]. 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[3]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[3]. 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[K]. Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[11][8]. Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[2][8]. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones[2][9]. Does well in a loamy soil[2]. Very suitable for an alkaline soil[2], but it dislikes very acid soils[4]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[1][2]. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[2].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press 1988-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber 1948-00-00
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00