Witch Hazel
ExploreTrees
Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Witch Hazels are beautiful trees with spidery flowers that bloom in late fall or winter. Their flowers have a lovely scent and come in shades of yellow, orange, or red.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Witch Hazel is a small tree or large shrub known for its irregular, spreading branches. Its oval, wavy-margined leaves turn a vivid yellow in fall, then unique spidery, crinkled yellow flowers bloom on bare branches in late autumn or winter.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSaxifragalesFamilyHamamelidaceaeGenusHamamelis
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its name 'Witch' comes from an old English word for flexible branches, not magic!
It’s one of the very few trees to show off bright, cheerful flowers in winter snow!
Native Americans used Witch Hazel for centuries as a traditional healing remedy.
The famous astringent liquid found in many homes comes from this very plant!
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Bloom Power
Witch Hazel can flower in freezing weather, giving its pollinators rare winter nectar when others are dormant.
Ability
Explosive Seed Shooter
Witch Hazel has seed pods that pop open forcefully, launching seeds several meters away to spread.
Ability
Healing Power
Witch Hazel contains special compounds in its bark and leaves used to soothe skin and reduce inflammation.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 6-10 m
- Canopy Spread
- 4-6 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 15-30 cm
- Lifespan
- 50-70 years
- Fruit Type
- Woody capsule
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses its young twigs and leaves
eats
Half-Wing Moth
Phigalia titea
its caterpillars feed on the leaves
eats
Promethea Silkmoth
Callosamia promethea
larvae feed on its foliage
pollinates
Common Malaria Mosquito
Anopheles punctipennis
feeds on nectar in its winter flowers
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Winter Interest
Winter Interest refers to plants that provide aesthetic appeal through their foliage, bark, berries, or structure during the winter season.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Cold Hardy
Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Night Blooming
Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Common Witch HazelWitch Hazel Tree
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy the beauty of Witch Hazels from a safe distance and avoid touching or eating any part of the tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Witch Hazel?
6-10 m
How wide does Witch Hazel spread?
4-6 m
Is Witch Hazel edible?
No
How big is Witch Hazel?
15-30 cm
How long does Witch Hazel live?
50-70 years
Where is Witch Hazel usually found?
Forests
What kind of fruit does Witch Hazel produce?
Woody capsule
How fast does Witch Hazel grow?
Medium
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