Hamamelis virginica (American Witch Hazel, Avellana de Bruja, Avellana Que Se Rompe, Escoba de Bruja)

Description

 The Leaves on this Native Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree turn beautiful shades of Yellow, Orange and Red in the Fall. Intensely Fragrant Yellow Flowers bloom from September through December attract Moths, Native Bees, Beetles, Flower Bugs and Numerous Beneficial Insects such as flies,flower bugs, and wasps. Petals roll up during coldweather and unroll during warm weather. It is a Larval Host of the Spring Azure Butterfly, and at least 16 moths. For one of these moths, the Witch Hazel Dagger Moth it is the sole larval hosts. Numerous insects feed solely or mainly on Witch Hazel.  These include Beetles, Gall Wasps, Plant Bugs, Gall Flies, and Leaf Hoppers, and Aphids. None of these insects cause serious damage to the tree. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds. I use an extract of the bark for skin irriations and I can attest to its effectiveness. Dowsing Rods were traditional made from Witch Hazel. The “Witch” supposedly refers to its habit of blooming when most trees are going dormant. I personally think its use a dowsing rod…is more valid. Native to AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV, Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC. Mexico tambien. Locally It is very rare. We propagated our plants from a native tree that we rescued from destruction in Beaufort Co., SC.  Plant in Sun or Part Shade in “woodsy soil”.  They are highly deer resistant. Deer have not browsed on my plants in over 10 years. They occasionally rub their antlers on the trunks.

Informacion en Spanish: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamamelis_virginiana

Witch Hazel Dagger Moth https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/120022-Acronicta-hamamelis