Strappy Blooms

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), is in bloom right now. Providing nectar and pollen to fruit flies, blow flies, wasps, bees, and beetles this late in the year when there is very little otherwise available to them.

The flowers make me think of yellow shredded coconut. Each blossom is made up of 4 petals and 4 sepals. Both petals and sepals are yellow.

A bush or small tree. Witch Hazel is native to eastern North America.

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Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

4 thoughts on “Strappy Blooms”

  1. Hi Bren, there must be several varieties of this shrub. Mine has orange-y flowers and blooms in winter/early spring. The witch hazel has the most wonderful aroma and usually takes me by surprise because sometimes there is snow on the ground.

    Your leaf picture of white oak the other day was spectacular in color.
    Nancy

    1. Hi Nancy!

      You’re describing Hamamelis vernalis, which has as a common name, Ozark Witch Hazel. It’s native to the Ozark Plateau extending from southern Missouri through northwestern Arkansas to eastern Oklahoma. It sounds lovely! I haven’t paid any attention to the scent of Witch Hazels here in the woods. I’ve got to pay more attention!

      So very glad you read my posts.
      Bren

    1. Hi Alfred! Wonderful to hear from you. You know, I’ve never paid any attention to the fragrance of Witch Hazel. I MUST notice the next time I’m out and see some.

      Thank you so much for reading my posts. That pleases my greatly!
      Bren

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