Botanical Name:

Hamamelis virginiana

Common Name:

common witchhazel, common witch-hazel

Family Name:

Hamamelidaceae – witchhazel family

General Description:

Hamamelis virginiana and Hamamelis vernalis, both native to eastern North America, are multi-stemmed large shrubs or small trees valued for their unique flowers and bloom time. The two species are primarily separated by habitat, flowering period, flower color and petal length, and the form or habit of the plant. Hamamelis virginiana, the fall-blooming witchhazel, is somewhat tree-form. Native in the Chicago area, it is a common plant of the high dune country, ravines, and rich moist woodlands. Hamamelis vernalis, the spring blooming witchhazel, is a shrub. It is native to the Ozarks where it grows in gravelly beds and rocky banks of streams. Cultivar selections of both species are available and are most often selected for improved flower qualities.

Zone:

3-8 (9)

Resources Consulted:

Bradford, Jack L., and Daniel L. Marsh. "Comparative Studies of the Witch Hazels Hamamelis virginiana and Hamamelis vernalis." Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings. Vol. XXXI. (1977): 29-30. PDF file.

Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign: Stipes, 2009. Print.

"The PLANTS Database." USDA, NRCS. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA, 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

Swink, Floyd, and Gerould Wilhelm. Plants of the Chicago Region. Indianapolis: Indiana Academy of Science, 1994. Print.

Creator:

Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, Professor, College of DuPage

Creation Date:

2014

Keywords/Tags:

Hamamelidaceae, Hamamelis virginiana, common witchhazel, witch-hazel, deciduous, shrub, tree

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