Flora of the Southeastern United States

Hamamelis virginiana Linnaeus var. virginiana. Common name: Northern Witch-hazel. Phenology: Sep-Dec; Oct-Nov (of the following year). Habitat: Moist to dryish forests. Distribution: QC and NS west to n. MI and MN, south to FL and e. TX; disjunct in Edwards Plateau, c. TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: We treat H. mexicana Standley of Coahuila and Nuevo León as a species distinct from H. virginiana; it is sometimes treated as H. virginiana var. mexicana (Standley) C. Lane.

Other Comments: The bark is still gathered in large quantities in the Southern Appalachians as the source for witch hazel liniment. The name ‘witch-hazel’ alludes to its superficial resemblance to Corylus, the true hazel, and to the ‘perversity’ of its flowering in the fall as it drops its leaves.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Va, Jenne (1966), Lane (2005); < Hamamelis virginiana L. — Ar, C, Can, Fl2, FNA3, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NS, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, W, WH3, WV; > Hamamelis virginiana L. var. parvifolia Nutt. — F; < Hamamelis virginiana L. var. virginiana — POWO; > Hamamelis virginiana L. var. virginiana — F. Basionym: Hamamelis virginiana L. 1753

Links to other floras: < Hamamelis virginiana - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (name change)
• Great Plains: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 5