Common Name: 
Hazel

About 15 species of deciduous, tall shrubs or small trees.  Leaves alternate, in 2 rows, usually ovate to obovate, often double serrate.  Flowers monoecious (male and female flowers on the same plant), pendulous male catkins in groups of 2-5, female catkins terminal on lateral buds, red stigmas prominent.  Fruit, nut, surrounded an involucre of 2 enlarged floral bracts.  Native to northern temperate zones.
Corylus: classical Latin name.

Pronunciation: 
KO-ril-us
Family: 
Betulaceae, Corylaceae