Hazel

Hazel, shrub or small tree (genus Corylus) that produces catkins early in the spring. The male catkins are yellow, dangling clusters, like “lambs' tails.” Pollen from these fertilizes the small red-tipped female flowers, which then produce nuts with a thick green husk. Hazelnuts are edible and are particularly liked by squirrels. A related European tree, the filbert (C. avellena), is cultivated for its larger nuts.