When you hear “witch hazel,” what do you think about? Maybe your not-so-nice sister, Hazel, or some scary Halloween decoration?
Witch Hazel's fall flower
In all actuality, witch hazel is an attractive, autumn-blooming plant that has made its home outside of our home here at theSebagoLakeEcologyCenter.
The “witch” in this plant’s name is derived from the Old English word wice, meaning “pliant.” Witch hazel’s delicate, limber limbs produce spider-like yellow blossoms which remain long after leaves have fallen. There are many medicinal uses for this plant; most commonly, the tannins in witch hazel make it a popular astringent. Prepared witch hazel can also be used topically to relieve itching and pain, and internally to ease digestion problems.
Witch hazel is most often found in moist, rich soil and is generally the size of a large shrub or small tree. It is deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves seasonally. It requires consistent access to water and some sunlight in order to grow to its fullest potential. When planted in direct sunlight, witch hazel will produce more flowers, but this isn’t necessary for its survival. One of very few plants to bloom in the fall, witch hazel grows beautifully in crisp temperatures.
There is much lore about witch hazel; it is believed that Native Americans and early European settlers would use witch hazel to find water sources in the ground through a method called dowsing. The forked branch from a witch hazel tree is perfect for this activity. With its two branches held in one’s hands and the stem pointed outward, it is said that the witch hazel’s stem will make a twitching movement if water is near.
by guest contributor Megh Rounds
