Description: This native woody plant is a shrub or small
tree up to 20' tall. It is usually abundantly branched and rather bushy in
appearance. Witch-Hazel may have a single trunk up to 1' across, or there may
be several ascending branches at its base. The trunk and/or larger branches are
grey, relatively smooth, and slightly wrinkled. The smaller branches and twigs
are grey to reddish brown. The alternate leaves are up to 5" long and 3"
across; they are oval to broadly obovate in shape and wavy-toothed along their
margins. The upper surface of each leaf is medium to dark green and hairless;
the lower surface is pale green and hairless, or pubescent along the major
veins of the leaf. The base of the leaf blade is often asymmetrical. The
slender petiole of each leaf is up to ¾" long. Small clusters of yellow
flowers and brown seed capsules develop along the upper branches and twigs.
Each flower has 4 yellow petals, 4 yellow sepals, 4 fertile stamens, and a pair
of short styles. The tape-like petals are about ¾" long and linear in
the shape; they are often contorted and twisted, rather than straight. The
sepals are much smaller in size, broadly triangular, and recurved while the
flower is blooming. The stamens are quite short. The blooming period occurs
from mid- to late fall for about 3 weeks. This is the last woody plant to bloom
during the fall; this usually occurs shortly after its leaves turn yellow and
have fallen to the ground. After the flowers have withered away, some of them
are replaced by seed capsules that require an entire year to mature. A mature
seed capsule resembles a brown woody acorn about 2/3" long; the upper third of
this capsule is divided into 4 segments. Inside, each seed capsule has 2 cells;
each cell contains a single seed. Mature capsules explode, ejecting the seeds
about 10-20 ft. away. This typically occurs during the fall while the flowers
are blooming. The seeds are up to ¼" long, ellipsoid, shiny, and black.
The root system consists of a woody branching taproot. This woody plant spreads
by reseeding itself.
Cultivation:
The preference is light shade to partial sun, mesic conditions, and sandy or
loamy soil. More flowers are produced in response to greater amounts of
sunlight.
Range & Habitat:
Witch-Hazel is occasional in central and northern Illinois, but uncommon or
absent in southern Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include mesic typical woodlands and sandy woodlands,
savannas and sandy savannas, woodland borders, foredunes near Lake Michigan,
and restored woodlands. Witch-Hazel is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental
shrub/tree in yards or along buildings.
Faunal
Associations: The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract flies,
including Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Blow flies, Muscid flies, and many
others. Less common visitors of the flowers include moths, beetles, and
parasitic wasps. Because insect visitors can be scarce late in the fall, the
flowers are capable of self-pollination. Several insect species feed on
Witch-Hazel; some of these are oligolectic. The weevil larvae of
Pseudanthonomus hamamelides feed on the developing seeds. Two species of
aphids, Hormaphis hamamelidis and Hamamelistes spinosus, form
small galls on the leaves. The caterpillars of several moth species feed on
Witch-Hazel, primarily on the leaves (see
Moth Table). The dispersed
seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds (the Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey),
the Fox Squirrel, and possibly small rodents. White-Tailed Deer browse on the
foliage and twigs.
Photographic
Location: A garden at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana,
Illinois.
Comments: Witch-Hazel
provides abundant green foliage during the summer and attractive flowers during
the fall when little else is in bloom. The seed capsules resemble miniature
cannons that expel their seeds with considerable force, making an audible
sound. This unique woody plant can't be confused with anything
else.