Witchhazel, Common

Here we have Witch-hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana. It is a large-understory shrub commonly found in woodlands. It grows 15 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide, with a moderate to slow growth rate. Witch-hazel thrives in moist, well-drained, rich soils and is highly adaptable, growing in conditions from full sun to dense shade. One of its most unique features is its yellow flowers, which bloom in the fall, when no other woody plant is flowering, adding unexpected color to the forest. Its seeds are housed in woody husks and are explosively ejected when ripe, aiding in natural dispersal.