Hamamelis virginiana Cortex / Witch Hazel Bark

Hamamelis virginiana, known as common or American witch-hazel, is a species of witch-hazel native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, and south to central Florida to eastern Texas. Today, witch hazel can also be found throughout much of southern and central Europe.

Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that boasts compact clumps of yellow or orange-red flowers.

Witch hazel prefers northern-facing slopes, river banks, fences, and other places with shade and well-drained soil.