Corylus jacquemontii

The Indian hazel or Jaquemont’s hazel is in the birch or Betulaceae family and is found in the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to W. Nepal, at altitudes of 1800-3000 m. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 8 m tall.

• Bark is thin, gray.
• Leaves are broadly ovate, 8-15 cm long, long-pointed, with doubly saw-toothed margins.
• Plant is monoecious; insignificantly small flowers arise in male catkins 2-4 cm long, and female spikes, with flowering in March-April.
• Nuts arise in clusters of 2–3, each with a leathery, hairy, bell-like covering up to 4 cm long, much longer than the nuts. The rim of the covering is cut into narrow linear lobes.
• Trees are cultivated for the nuts, which are an important food.