Ozark Witch Hazel
Arbor Walk #110, TreeKeeper ID #6201
One of the newer additions to the arboretum, this woody plant showcases ribbon-like flower clusters when in full bloom. An early flowering shrub, the Ozark Witch Hazel’s most distinctive feature is its bright orange clustered flowers which bloom in the winter. Native to Missouri, it is adaptive to temperature variation and consequently its flowers curl in on colder days, and unfurl on warmer days. Because it is so naturally resilient to the elements, it is commonly planted for not only decorative purposes, but as a border shrub placed around homes and gardens.
| Common Name | Ozark Witch Hazel |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Hamamelis vernalis |
| Indigenous Name(s) | Quapaw: watástotta šákka hi |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Louderman Hall, 9.98 m | Cupples II Hall, 17.37 m | Olin Library, 27.43 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ozark Witch Hazel, 3.42 m | Ozark Witch Hazel, 5.58 m | Blackgum, 8.68 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Caliper (m) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.6 | 1.78 | N/A | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.55 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Ozark Witch Hazel are alternately arranged on the stem, simple (no leaflets), with an ovate shape and an average length of 3″. The leaf margin has irregular toothing that may appear as extremely shallow lobes. The leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs are light brown with light lenticels (pores) and densely fuzzy hairs that fade with maturity. The buds are fuzzy, slender, and pointed. The terminal bud is paired with a secondary bud.
Bark Identification
The bark is light gray and mottled with patches of medium gray and dark gray. It has horizontal notch-like lenticels. The Ozark Witch Hazel is a shrub with multiple suckering stems unless cultivated into one trunk.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Ozark Witch Hazel are hard, yellow-green, 4-pronged capsules. These fruits are dehiscent and eject their seeds in the fall.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Ozark Witch Hazel are in small circular clusters on short peduncles (flowering stems). Each flower has four red-orange strap-like petals.
Witchhazel ID Tips
The Ozark Witchhazel is distinguished from the American Witchhazel based on flowering time and color. The American Witchhazel flowers in the fall, with yellow flowers, while the Ozark Witchhazel flowers in the spring, with orange and red flowers.
