American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Illustration: American hazelnut (Corylus americana) in fringed husks

Identification: Multi-stemmed shrub; round-toothed leaves; nuts in fringed leafy husks ('beaked' on beaked hazelnut, C. cornuta).

Dangerous look-alikes: No toxic look-alike.

Edible parts: Nuts.

Season and habitat: Fall. Woodland edges, thickets.

Preparation: Husk, crack, and eat fresh or roasted. Smaller than European filberts but sweeter. Squirrels take most — beat them to it.