# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 37 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Common Witch Hazel, Witch Hazel Tree ![Witch Hazel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hamamelis_virginiana_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-070.jpg&width=800) Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamamelis_virginiana_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-070.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Saxifragales - **Family:** Hamamelidaceae - **Genus:** Hamamelis ## 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 - **Winter Bloom Power:** Witch Hazel can flower in freezing weather, giving its pollinators rare winter nectar when others are dormant. - **Explosive Seed Shooter:** Witch Hazel has seed pods that pop open forcefully, launching seeds several meters away to spread. - **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 - **Spread:** 4-6 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 15-30 cm - **Lifespan:** 50-70 years - **Fruit Type:** Woody capsule - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/promethea-silkmoth) (*Callosamia promethea*) — larvae feed on its foliage - **Pollinates:** Common Malaria Mosquito (*Anopheles punctipennis*) — feeds on nectar in its winter flowers ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Winter Interest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/winter-interest): Winter Interest refers to plants that provide aesthetic appeal through their foliage, bark, berries, or structure during the winter season. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## 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 to identify Witch Hazel? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Brooklyn Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooklyn-botanic-garden) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Canton Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canton-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Witch Hazel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/witch-hazel) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Witch Hazel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/witch-hazel)