Filbert

Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Filbert. One of the group of nuts produced by species of Corylus. The nuts of Corylus are variously grouped or classified; those are usually known as filberts that are provided with a tubular husk much longer than the nut itself; as cobs, if the husk is little or not at all longer than the nut; and as hazels if the husk is much shorter than the nut. The filbert nuts are usually oblong in shape; the cobs roundish and angular; and the hazels rather small, roundish and thick-shelled. These are derived from different species and hybrids of Corylus (which see) of the Old World; and these vernacular names do not seem to be very definitely or accurately used. The name filbert is of disputed origin; the idea that it comes from "full-beard," in allusion to the long husk, is undoubtedly erroneous. Filberts are grown in many parts of Europe, and they are exported to America in large quantities. Many attempts have been made to grow them in this country but without success owing, apparently, to lack of hardiness, to fungus disease, and to the want of varieties bred for American conditions. Probably some of the failure is due to lack of discrimination in soils and to unskilled methods of growing. See Hazel-nut. L. H. B. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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Filbert fruit, showing the elongated tubular involucre
Plant Info
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Scientific classification
Domain: {{{domain}}} Superkingdom: {{{superregnum}}} Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: {{{subregnum}}} Superdivision: {{{superdivisio}}} Superphylum: {{{superphylum}}} Division: Magnoliophyta Phylum: {{{phylum}}} Subdivision: {{{subdivisio}}} Subphylum: {{{subphylum}}} Infraphylum: {{{infraphylum}}} Microphylum: {{{microphylum}}} Nanophylum: {{{nanophylum}}} Superclass: {{{superclassis}}} Class: Magnoliopsida Sublass: {{{subclassis}}} Infraclass: {{{infraclassis}}} Superorder: {{{superordo}}} Order: Fagales Suborder: {{{subordo}}} Infraorder: {{{infraordo}}} Superfamily: {{{superfamilia}}} Family: Betulaceae Subfamily: {{{subfamilia}}} Supertribe: {{{supertribus}}} Tribe: {{{tribus}}} Subtribe: {{{subtribus}}} Genus: Corylus Subgenus: {{{subgenus}}} Section: {{{sectio}}} Series: {{{series}}} Species: C. maxima Subspecies: {{{subspecies}}}
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Binomial name
Corylus maxima Mill.
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The Filbert (Corylus maxima) is a species of hazel native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. It is a deciduous shrub 6–10 m tall, with stems up to 20 cm thick. The leaves are rounded, 5–12 cm long by 4–10 cm broad, with a coarsely double-serrated margin. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins produced in late winter; the male (pollen) catkins are pale yellow, 5–10 cm long, while the female catkins are bright red and only 2–3 mm long. The fruit is a nut produced in clusters of 1–5 together; each nut is 1.5–2.5 cm long, fully enclosed in a 3–5 cm long, tubular involucre (husk).

The Filbert is similar to the related Common Hazel (C. avellana), differing in having the nut more fully enclosed by the tubular involucre. This feature is shared by the Beaked Hazel (C. cornuta) of North America, and the Asian Beaked Hazel (C. sieboldiana) of eastern Asia.

Uses

The Filbert nut is edible, and is very similar to the Common Hazel nut. Filberts are sometimes grown in orchards for the nuts, but much less often than the Common Hazel.

The purple-leaved cultivar Corylus maxima 'Purpurea' is a popular ornamental shrub in gardens,

Language

The word 'filbert' is used regionally in Oregon to refer to hazelnuts in general. Use in this manner has faded partly due to the efforts of Oregon's hazelnut growers to brand their product to better appeal to global markets and avoid confusion.