NEN Gallery

The hazel catkins are now fully developed and releasing pollen on a lot of plants. Hazel is a large shrub with smooth brown stems found at the edges of woods and hedges. The young shoots and leaves are hairy. The male catkins are long and droopy, in early spring they become yellow with pollen, before the leaves develop. The female flowers are small, often hidden, with red bracts. The edible nut develops in September and is surrounded by a leafy green cup. The picture was taken mid February 2006 - at Old Warden, Bedfordshire.