Practical
Plants

Corylus ferox

Himalayan Hazel

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Corylus genus in the family Betulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Corylus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
10 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked[3][6][11]. Small with a thick shell, the seed tastes like the common filbert, C. maxima[8][7]. 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.

Wood - soft, even grained[3].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from C. Nepal to S.W. China.
Habitat
Forests, 2400 - 3000 metres in the Himalayas[12]. Forests on mountain slopes at elevations of 1500 - 3800 metres in western China[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
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[4]. 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[4]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[4]. 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[14][9]. 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][9]. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones[2][13]. Does well in a loamy soil[2]. Very suitable for an alkaline soil[2], but it dislikes very acid soils[5]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[1][2]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[9]. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[2].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  11. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  12. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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  13. Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber 1948-00-00

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  14. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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