Description
Witchhazel is a fall blooming, deciduous large shrub, with strong autumn and winter interest due to it’s late bloom that occurs between fall and winter. The showy, streamer-looking flowers vary from bright yellow to hues of orange. Witchhazel leaves, twigs, and bark were used traditionally to treat cuts; as well as skin conditions such as rashes and insect bites. Witchhazel is a species with high wildlife value, as it’s a food source for many species of moths and butterflies, and birds such as wild turkeys eat the seeds. For a long time it was a mystery how witchhazel was pollinated, until naturalist Bernd Heinrich realized there’s a type of Owlet moth active on cold nights (similar to the one pictured above). These moths hide under the insulation of the leaf-litter during the day, then at night have the ability to raise their body temperature by as much as 50 degrees by shivering – allowing them to go find sources of nectar.
