hazel

[hey-zuhl]

hazel, any plant of the genus Corylus of the family Betulaceae (birch family), shrubs or small trees with foliage similar to the related alders. They are often cultivated for ornament and for the edible nuts. Hazels are also called filberts, although the latter is more strictly a name for European kinds (C. maxima, C. avellena, and their varieties, e.g., the cobnut) that are cultivated, chiefly in Europe, for the filbert of commerce. Nuts of the American hazel (C. americana) are often gathered but seldom sold. Winter hazel and witch hazel are not related to hazel. Hazel is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Fagales, family Betulaceae.

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witch hazel family

Family Hamamelidaceae, comprising 23 genera of shrubs and trees, native to tropical and warm temperate regions. The six species of the genus Hamamelis include such ornamentals as witch hazel, winter hazel, and Fothergilla, which are outstanding for their early flowering and fall leaf colour. Members of the family are characterized by simple leaves and by flowers with four or five petals and sepals each. American, or common, witch hazel (H. virginiana) flowers in fall and retains yellow, cuplike calyxes (collections of sepals) through the winter. The common name refers to the forked twigs that were sometimes used for water-witching, or dowsing to locate underground water. The fragrant liniment witch hazel is made from the dried leaves and sometimes from twigs and bark. Brilliant autumn leaf colour is an outstanding trait of ironwood (Parrotia persica). Another genus, Altingia, has seven species, all Asian and all valued for their timber. A. excelsa is one of the largest trees of the Asian tropics, sometimes reaching a height of 82 ft (25 m).

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

filbert

or hazel(nut)

Any of about 15 species of deciduous trees and shrubs that make up the genus Corylus, in the birch family, native to the northern temperate zone; also, the edible nuts they produce. Choice nuts are produced by two Eurasian trees, the European filbert (C. avellana) and the giant filbert (C. maxima), and by hybrids of these species. Some varieties are valuable hedgerow and ornamental trees. An oil from C. avellana is used in food products, perfumes, and soaps; the tree yields a soft, reddish-white timber that is useful for small articles such as tool handles and walking sticks.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Hazel, Kentucky

Hazel is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 440 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Hazel is located at (36.504658, -88.325443).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 440 people, 197 households, and 121 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,160.3 people per square mile (447.1/km²). There were 223 housing units at an average density of 588.1/sq mi (226.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.73% White, 7.05% African American, and 0.23% from two or more races.

There were 197 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,289, and the median income for a family was $33,500. Males had a median income of $26,771 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,689. About 9.8% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.