Vernal Witchhazel
Hamamelis vernalis
Hamamelidaceae (Witchhazel Family)
▲ shrub by northeast entrance to Karls Hall on MSU campus
▲▼ foliage showing crenate margins
▲ flower buds n late fall
▲▼ flowers in January and February
▲▼ flowers in January and February
Hamamelis vernalis: Vernal Witchhazel
Location on campus: at south end of rectangle bed outside main (northeast) entrance to Karls Hall; in lawn area to the north of Woods Hall; a few other locations on campus
· leaves deciduous, alternate, simple, obovate with coarsely rounded teeth above the middle; leaves 2-5" long and ½ to 2/3 as wide; leaves glabrous or glaucous, not pubescent; (4-6 vein pairs) green to blue green or dark green color with good yellow fall color
· stems are tan-gray and very pubescent when young
· flowers yellow, orange or red, ½ to 3/4" across with 4 crinkly petals in the axils of the leaves, usually in clusters of three in mid-winter; often fragrant
· grows 6-10' tall and wide, rounded, often a multistemmed shrub with sprouts from the base
· grows well in full sun to half or more shade; prefers moist soils, but somewhat adaptable
· slow to medium growth rate
· native to Missouri