Vernal Witchhazel, Ozark Witchhazel                ham-a-MAY-lis ver-NAH-lis

• Broadleaf deciduous shrub, to 6-10 ft (1.8-3 m) tall with a greater spread, rounded, multi-stemmed, branches bend upward near ends; may form colonies via suckers; new growth bronze to reddish purple.  Leaves alternate, simple, obovate to oblong-ovate, 5-12 cm long, about 1.5 cm or so wide, base wedge-shaped truncate, tip pointed, wavy margins above the middle, green above, green or whitish (wax) and nearly hairless below, 4-6 pairs of veins, turn yellow in fall.  Flower are small, yellow to red, 4 strap-like petals, each 1-1.5 cm long, reddish near the lower end; blooms in winter or early spring prior to leaf emergence.
• Sun to part shade.  Best in moist situations, can handle poorly drained soils.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native range from Missouri to Louisiana and Oklahoma.
• vernalis: of spring, a reference to its time of flowering
• Salem, Oregon: Bush Prairie Park, west of the rose gardens.