Hamamelis virginiana L. var. henryae Jenne ex C. Lane
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. macrophylla (Pursh) Nutt.
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. parvifolia Nutt.
Hamamelis virginiana L.
Witch-hazel, American witchhazel, winterbloom
This variety of witch-hazel is native to eastern North America. “Witch-hazel” suggests a potion crafted by witches, but this is not the case at all. “Witch” derives from “wych-elm” (in turn from wican “to bend”); and “Hazel” derives from hæsel, meaning a bush of the pine family. The soothing lotion by the same name is derived from this plant, though.
Plants: 9½–26′ (3–8 m) tall, rarely up to 39′ (12 m), usually somewhat irregular shrubs. Witch-hazels have the unusual property that fruit, flowers and next year’s leaf buds all appear on branches simultaneously.
Leaves: alternate, 1½–6 ⨉ 1–4″ (4–16 ⨉ 3–11 cm), usually with wavy margins and coarse teeth.
Flowers: The flowers are unusual in shape and color, comprised of thin wrinkly strap-shaped petals each ⅜–¾″ (1–2 cm) long, which may be pale- to dark-yellow, orange, or red. They are among the first flowers visible in the spring, appearing in the north while snow is still on the ground.
Fruits: The tan fruits are a two-part (sometimes three-part) capsule like partly fused ovals. Each capsule is ⅜–½″ (1–1.4 cm) in size, and contains a black glossy seed up to ⅛″ (5 mm) long. Seeds are ejected explosively over distances up to 33′ (10 m).
Habitats: Open woods, woodland margins and stream banks.
Medical: Witch-hazel extract, an aromatic alcoholic solution prepared from the macerated stems and leaves of this plant, is a mild astringent, tightening skin.
Online References:
Hamamelis macrophylla Pursh
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. henryae Jenne ex C. Lane
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. macrophylla (Pursh) Nutt.
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. parvifolia Nutt.
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. henryae Jenne ex C. Lane
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. macrophylla (Pursh) Nutt.
Hamamelis virginiana L. var. parvifolia Nutt.
10/11/2011 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
10/19/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (11 × 7.3 cm) 
Spiny witch hazel galls, created by an aphid, Hamamelistes spinosus. · 7/17/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 1½ × 1½″ (4.3 × 4.1 cm) 
11/17/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
10/9/2018 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts, United States 
5/20/2023 · Knight’s Pond Preserve, Cumberland, Maine 
9/9/2023 · Flying Point, Georgetown, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
8/17/2013 · Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm) 
10/22/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) 
10/22/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) 
10/19/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 3½″ (10 × 9.2 cm) 
10/22/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
7/14/2013 · Ball Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm) 
10/22/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 3″ (5.9 × 7.8 cm) 
9/25/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
10/9/2018 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts, United States 
Spiny witch hazel gall, created by an aphid. · 10/11/2011 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) 
Spiny witch hazel gall, created by an aphid, Hamamelistes spinosus. That's probably one poking out near the base. · 7/17/2017 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 3½″ (8.7 × 8.7 cm) 
Young leaves are sometimes red. · 6/2/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 16 cm) 
9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
10/9/2018 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts, United States 
11/17/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
7/5/2025 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (26 × 17 cm) 
11/17/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3½″ (11 × 9.2 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
8/4/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 13 × 9″ (33 × 22 cm) 
10/9/2018 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts, United States 
8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
10/5/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) 
9/25/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
9/15/2012 · Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Hamamelidae | Wind-pollinated shrubs |
| Order | Hamamelidales | Witch hazels and related plants |
| Family | Hamamelidaceae | Witch-hazels |
| Genus | Hamamelis | Witch-hazel; name means “hooked fruit” |
| Species | virginiana | “From viginia” |
Hamamelis virginiana description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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