The Witch-Hazel, or American Hamamelis, has many superficial points of
resemblance to the common alder, beside its attachment to wet, muddy
soils. Its ramification is peculiar; its side branches are very short,
and, like the alder, it sends from one root a number of branches
diverging outwards, but with an inward curvature of their extremities.
The leaves are alternate and ovate, narrowest toward the stem and
feather-veined. They turn to a sort of buff-color just before the
flowers appear, which are yellow, having long linear petals, without
beauty, growing in a cluster of four or five in the axils of the leaves.
This tree is worthy of attention chiefly as a curiosity. Like the
witch-elm of Great Britain, it was formerly used for divining-rods. Its
magic powers might have been suggested by its remarkable habit of
bearing flowers late in the autumn, thereby reversing the general order
of nature; also by producing buds, flowers, and fruit in perfection at
the same time. All such phenomena might be supposed to have some
connection with witchcraft.