Corylus americana, commonly known as American Hazelnut, is a native deciduous shrub found in woodlands, forest edges, and along streambanks throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, moist soils and prefers full sun to light shade.
This shrub features rounded, toothed leaves and produces clusters of small, inconspicuous male catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge. The female flowers are much smaller but are easily recognized by their red styles. By late summer to fall, it produces edible, round nuts encased in a husk, which are favored by wildlife, including squirrels and birds.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Corylus americana is an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, woodland edges, or naturalized landscapes, offering food for wildlife, autumn interest, and a dense growth habit that provides natural shelter.
Corylus americana, commonly known as American Hazelnut, is a native deciduous shrub found in woodlands, forest edges, and along streambanks throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, moist soils and prefers full sun to light shade.
This shrub features rounded, toothed leaves and produces clusters of small, inconspicuous male catkins in early spring before the leaves emerge. The female flowers are much smaller but are easily recognized by their red styles. By late summer to fall, it produces edible, round nuts encased in a husk, which are favored by wildlife, including squirrels and birds.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Corylus americana is an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, woodland edges, or naturalized landscapes, offering food for wildlife, autumn interest, and a dense growth habit that provides natural shelter.
Bloom: early to mid-spring
Habitats: fence rows; moist to dry-mesic prairies and sand prairies; moist to dry-mesic woodlands; rocky upland forests; sandy Oak woodlands; typical savannas and sandy savannas; typical thickets and sandy thickets; wooded slopes; woodland borders
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to dry-mesic
Plant type (height): shrub (4 to 15 feet)
Requirements: full sun to light shade
Soil: loam; rocky material; sand
