Botanical Glossary - Home

Witch Hazel is a deciduous ornamental shrub with densely hairy branches. The leaves are broad-oval to rounded, short stalked, slightly asymmetrical. The golden-yellow flowers (with wine-red sepals) are borne in clusters, short stalked, tetramerous, blooming in January to March. Native to China. Very decorative and popular in the Vancouver area.

Leaves, twigs, blossoms and bark can be crushed and used in a compress for bruises, sprains , muscle aches, insect bites and as an astringent (binding medicine). Commercially, the twigs and bark are distilled and a volatile oil is made to clean and refresh skin.

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