American Hazelnut
Corylus americana · Betulaceae (Birch family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Broadly ovate to cordate with an abruptly pointed apex
Margin
Doubly serrate (coarsely toothed with smaller teeth along the edges)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate venation with prominent, straight parallel veins extending from the midrib to the margin.
Key Features
Doubly serrate leaf margins, heart-shaped (cordate) leaf base, pubescent twigs and petioles, and the distinctive leafy husks surrounding the nuts.
Description
The American Hazelnut is a small, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that typically grows 3 to 8 feet tall.
Habitat
Understory of deciduous forests, woodland borders, thickets, and along streams or fence rows, preferring moist, well-draining soils and partial to full sun.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Saskatchewan and Maine south to Georgia and Oklahoma.