Witch-hazel
Hamamelis x intermedia ' Angelly '
Witch hazel (Hamamelis ) is a plant genus of the family of witch hazel plants ( Hamamelidaceae ). The genus Hamamelis has a disjoint area; come before three in eastern North America and two in eastern Asia from only five species.
- 2.1 Evolution
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Description
Appearance and leaves
Hamamelis species grow as deciduous shrubs and small trees. The star- haired bark of young branches is gray to gray- brown. The buds are bald. The leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The somewhat leathery or membranous leaf blades always have a crooked Spreitenbasis and are sinuate, or have a serrated margin. When the large, deciduous stipules fall off, they left their small leaf scars.
Inflorescences and flowers
The Virginian witch hazel blooms in the fall. The other species and varieties bloom in winter usually before the leaves emerge. The pendant, capitate inflorescences contain only three to four flowers.
The flowers often smell pleasant in a wide radius, while the rich details of slightly fragrant with Hamamelis virginiana Hamamelis vernalis to significantly fragrant with. The hermaphrodite flowers are cruciform. The four egg-shaped sepals are hairy. The ribbon-shaped petals are ( petals ) are greenish, yellow, orange or red. In each flower four fertile stamens are present, which only have short stamens and anthers ovoid. There are always four scale-like staminodes present that produce nectar. Two carpels are fused into a semi- inferior ovary. Each of the two compartments ovary contains only one ovule. The stems are short.
Fruit and seeds
The opening is zweiklappig, woody fruit capsules contain only two black seeds. The seed capsules open explosively and throw the seeds away about 10 meters. The black, hard, ellipsoidal seeds have a fleshy endosperm.
Chromosome number
The basic chromosome number is n = 12
Systematics and distribution
All species are native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. The genus Hamamelis has a disjoint area in eastern North America and eastern Asia.
The genus name Hamamelis was first published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum, 1, p 124. Type species is Hamamelis virginiana L. Synonyms Hamamelis L. are: . Amamelis Lem, Lomilis Raf, Trilopus Mitch. ..
The genus belongs to the subtribe Hamamelis Hamamelidinae from the tribe Hamamelideae in the subfamily Hamamelidoideae within the family Hamamelidaceae.
There are four to six Hamamelis species:
Three species are native to North America:
- Virginian witch hazel or autumn flowering witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.)
- Hamamelis vernalis coffin.
- Hamamelis ovalis S.W.Leonard
Two species are native to Asia:
- Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica Sieb & Zucc. . ): The home is Japan.
- Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis Oliv. ): She comes from China.
Hybrids:
- Hamamelis × intermedia Rehder ( Hamamelis japonica × Hamamelis mollis = )
Evolution
Today Hamamelis species are from a young relative genetic development. The genus Hamamelis is monophyletic origin. As Basalart applies the Chinese witch hazel. All New World species have been found with Hamamelis japonica next related; colonization of the North American continent was therefore carried out hypothetically on the opening of the Bering Land Bridge from East Asia. Fossil evidence is witch hazel for Eurasia. The Pleistocene ice ages have here causes their extinction.
Use as an ornamental plant
Witch Hazel types and varieties, including hybrids are used as ornamental plants in temperate latitudes. The witch hazel species grow slowly, to stand individually and as seldom as possible pruned. They bloom in the cold season, mostly from December to February, making it one of the few species that bloom during these winter months.
Curative effect
The Virginian witch hazel is used labor intensive as a medicinal plant. The medicinal drugs obtained ( Hamamelidis aqua, Hamamelidis cortex, Hamamelidis folium ) have a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, astringent and itching -relieving effect. According to Commission E, an application for minor skin injuries, local inflammation of skin and mucous membranes, hemorrhoids and varicose veins is useful. In folk medicine, a gift also takes place internally in diarrhea.