The Otaman hazelnut variety is one of the new varieties registered in the Ukrainian Hazelnut Variety Register. It was developed by Andriy Durbak and is intended for use in agricultural practice. This variety is characterized by high shade tolerance, allowing it to be grown under various lighting conditions. The Otaman bushes have an attractive, lush crown with large leaves, giving the plant decorative appeal.
Otaman is not picky about soil type and grows successfully on clay and sandy soils. The plant prefers moist, fertile soil but is also resistant to wind and frost, making it a reliable choice for various climatic zones. Flowering begins early in spring, before leaf emergence, when golden staminate spikes up to 5 cm long appear on the bushes. Hazelnut is monoecious, with both staminate and pistillate flowers present on the same bush, ensuring annual fruiting.
The fruits of the Otaman variety have an oval or spherical shape, about 2 cm long, enclosed in a light-green, hairy husk. A single hazelnut cluster may contain up to 30 nuts, though most commonly 3–4 fruits are found. Due to its characteristics, the Otaman variety is suitable for planting as individual trees or in living hedges, expanding its use in gardening and agriculture.
