Deciduous tree up to 15 m tall; young shoots tomentose-glandular. Leaf buds solitary axillary, ovoid, enclosed in imbricate pubescent scales. Stipules lanceolate. Petiole 7-40 mm long, pubescent, glandular. Leaves 6-17 cm long. 4-11 cm broad, broadly ovate to sub-obovate with 7-8 (-10) pairs of lateral veins, acuminate, pubescent, tomentose beneath. Male catkins 2-4 cm long, axillary solitary or 2-3; bract broadly ovate-cordate, c. 2 mm broad, margin pubescent and glandular, enclosing a pair of oblong obovate pubescent bracteoles; stamens 4-5; filaments short, anthers c. 7 mm long, piliferous, dehiscing longitudinally. Female flowers small, in short spikes, in pairs in axil of upper bracts; perianth adnate to the ovary, toothed, superior. Nuts in clusters of 2-3, each c.1.5 cm broad, bony, brownish yellow, enclosed in an enlarged coriaceous, leafy, laciniate and often spinescent glandular involuore.

Fl. Per. March-April.

Type: Described from Turkey.

Distribution: Native to SE. Europe and Turkey; Afghanistan, China. W. Pakistan and the NW. Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

The hazelnut is more common in the inner than the outer Himalayas from 1600-3300 m alt. s. m. Often gregarious. The nut is edible.