Colin Varndell’s Wildlife Year – Hazel catkins
Published in February ’13
Hazel catkins Corylus avellana or ‘lamb’s tails’ are the male flowers of the tree. In late winter, these yellow tassels develop to release pollen. The red female flowers are tiny, occurring at the bud adjacent to the male catkin. Once pollinated, these minute flowers slowly grow into the hazelnuts of autumn.
