Monday 26 October 2015

Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel)

LOCATION: Fletcher Moss Park, Manchester

Hamamelis mollis, commonly known as a witch hazel, is an upright medium to large, deciduous shrub which usually grows up to 4m. It has a rounded shape and it is native to forests and thickets in southeastern and southwestern China. This species produces the most fragrant flowers of all the witch hazels which appear in the winter time therefore this species was still before their bloom. The plant was originally introduced into cultivation in ngland in 1879 from seed collected in China by Charles Maries, British plant explorer. Each yellow flower has narrow, strap-shaped petals with red stamens at the base.

This species was found in Fletcher Moss in the residential garden. It was growing by itself in the middle of the lawn which gave it quite a large space to take over and it provided a lot of sun light which it needs. The plant did not have anymore leaves as the winter time was getting closer, however the flower buds were getting ready to bloom very soon with yellow ribbon-like fragnant flowers. The twigs were covered with small white hair whereas the larger branches had a dark grey colour. 

 

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