Siberian filbert, Siberian hazel
Corylus heterophylla
Family: Betulaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m tall. The leaves are rounded and come to an abrupt point. There are teeth along the edge. They are covered with fine hairs. The leaves are downy underneath. The flowers are in catkins which develop into single or paired fruit. The fruit are enclosed in leafy bracts. The nuts have a hard shell.
There are about 15 Corylus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in temperate broad-leaved forests, thickets on mountain slopes between 400–2500 m altitude in China. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia
How it is used for food
The nuts are eaten raw. They are also fried.
The nuts are for sale in shops and markets. It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Nuts, seeds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Maoli, Maolizishu, Sid, Zhenzi