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The "Hashibami" (Corylus heterophylla var. thunbergii) belongs to Betulaceae (the Birch family). It is a small deciduous tree that is distributed to all over Japan, as well as the Korean Peninsula, China, Ussuri and Amur. This tree grows in hills and mountains, can reach 1-2 m in height. The leaves are broad obovate with acute tips and heart-shaped bases. They have irregular duplicato-serratus edges. This tree is dioecism, and the flowers come in March to April. The male inflorescence is drooping, and the female one is borne at the bases. The fruits are round nuts which covered with foliated bracts and edible. In Chinese, it is called "榛" (zhen).
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