Long-billed hazelnut

Probably the mythological and mystical tree par excellence, the hazelnut has been part of the daily lives of people all over the world for almost 10,000 years! Not only has it fed entire peoples with its delicious hazelnuts, but it has also, over time, been associated with a number of symbolic meanings. For the peoples of the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, it was synonymous with druidic teaching and the source of knowledge. No doubt this association stems from the hazelnut's ability to locate underground water sources. What's more, for the warrior peoples of antiquity, hazel boughs signified reconciliation. This is why messengers responsible for requesting a truce would bring them to the enemy camp.

This medium-sized, bushy shrub, which can grow to 6 meters, adapts well to the majority of sites found in our forests, towns and wastelands. The hazelnut has the ability to clone itself to rejuvenate its stems, which explains why its numerous stems all originate from the same root. The hazelnut is best known worldwide for its tasty nuts! But don't touch them with bare skin. In fact, its involucre (the green husk on the hazelnut) is covered with tiny, highly urticating hairs.

This shrub represents wisdom and reconciliation.