HAMAMELIS, WITCH HAZEL; a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants. There is but one species, a native of Virginia.
Hambden, nia. It hath a shrubby or woody stem, branching three or four feet high; oval, indented, alternate leaves, resembling those of common hazel; and flowers growing in clusters from the joints of the young branches, but not succeeded by seeds in this country.—The plant is hardy, and is admitted as a variety in our gardens; but its flowers are more remarkable for their appearance in November and December, when the leaves are fallen, than for their beauty.—It may be propagated either by seeds or layers.