Hazel
Corylus avellana
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio 
Hazel flower photographed on December 30th 2008 |
Mention this plant and most people will immediately associate it with the nuts produced in autumn.
But look really closely in the middle of winter and you may find the tiny magenta flowers sticking out like little brushes from fat buds at the base of the male catkins. These are the female flowers from which the nuts will develop later in the year. |