Witch-hazel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis, /ˌhæməˈmiːlɪs/)[1]
is a genus
of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae,
with three species in North America
(H. ovalis,[2]
H. virginiana and H. vernalis), and one each in Japan (H. japonica)
and China
(H. mollis). The North American species are occasionally called winterbloom.[3][4]
Growth
The witch-hazels are deciduous
shrubs
or (rarely) small trees growing to 3–8 metres (9.8–26 ft) tall, rarely to 12
metres (39 ft) tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, oval, 4–16 centimetres
(1.6–6.3 in) long and 3–11 centimetres (1.2–4.3 in) broad, with a
smooth or wavy margin. The genus name, Hamamelis, means "together
with fruit", referring to the simultaneous occurrence of flowers with the maturing
fruit from the previous year.[5]
H. virginiana blooms in September-November while the other species bloom
from January-March. Each flower has four slender strap-shaped petals 1–2
centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long, pale to dark yellow, orange, or red. The fruit is a two-part capsule
1 centimetre (0.39 in) long, containing a single 5 millimetres
(0.20 in) glossy black seed in each of the two parts; the capsule splits explosively at maturity in the autumn about 8 months after flowering,
ejecting the seeds with sufficient force to fly for distances of up to 10
metres (33 ft), thus another alternative name "Snapping Hazel".[4]
Etymology
The name Witch in witch-hazel
has its origins in Middle English wiche, from the Old English wice, meaning
"pliant" or "bendable".[6]
"Witch hazel" was used in England as a synonym for Wych Elm, Ulmus glabra;[7]
American colonists simply extended the familiar name to the new shrub.[citation needed] The use of the twigs as divining rods,
just as hazel
twigs were used in England, may also have, by folk etymology, influenced the
"witch" part of the name.
Genera
The Persian Ironwood, a closely related tree formerly treated as Hamamelis
persica, is now given a genus of its own, as Parrotia persica, as it
differs in the flowers not having petals. Other closely allied genera are Parrotiopsis, Fothergilla and Sycopsis (see
under Hamamelidaceae). Witch-hazels are not closely related to the true Corylus
hazels,
though they have a few superficially similar characteristics which may cause
one to believe that they are.
Cultivation
and uses
They are popular ornamental plants, grown for their clusters of rich yellow to orange-red
flowers which begin to expand in the autumn as or slightly before the leaves
fall, and continue throughout the winter.
Garden
shrubs
Hamamelis virginiana was introduced into English gardens by Peter
Collinson, who maintained correspondence with
plant hunters in the American colonies. Nowadays, it is rarely seen in the
nursery trade except for woodland/wildlife restoration projects and native
plant enthusiasts. Much more common is H. mollis, which has bright red
flowers that bloom in late winter instead of the yellow blossoms of H.
virginiana which tend to be lost among the plant's fall foliage. The
plant-hunter Charles Maries collected for Veitch Nurseries in the Chinese district of Jiujiang
in 1879. It languished in nursery rows for years until it was noticed,
propagated and put on the market in 1902.[8]
Numerous cultivars
have been selected for use as garden shrubs, many of them derived from the hybrid
H. × intermedia Rehder (H. japonica × H. mollis).
Jelena and Robert de Belder of Arboretum Kalmthout, selecting for red cultivars, found three: the first, with
bronze flowers, was named 'Jelena'; the next, with red flowers, was named
'Diane' (the name of their daughter); the last, with deep red flowers, was
called 'Livia' (the name of their granddaughter).
Medicinal
uses
The leaves and bark of the North
American Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana may be used to produce an astringent,[9]
also referred to as witch
hazel, and is used medicinally. This
plant extract was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians
and is a component of a variety of commercial healthcare products.[9]
It's mainly used externally on
sores, bruises, and swelling. Witch hazel hydrosol
is used in skin care. It is a strong anti-oxidant and astringent, which makes
it very useful in fighting acne.[9]
It is often used as a natural remedy for psoriasis,
eczema,
aftershave applications, ingrown nails, to prevent sweating of the face,
cracked or blistered skin, for treating insect bites, poison ivy,
and as a treatment for varicose veins
and hemorrhoids.[10]
It is found in numerous over-the-counter hemorrhoid preparations.[11]
It is recommended to women to reduce swelling and soothe wounds resulting from childbirth.[12]
The entire wiki link on this subject can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hazel
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