HAMAMELIS, WITCH HAZEL: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking with those of which the order is doubtful. The involucrum is triphyllous, the proper calyx tetraphyllous; there are four petals; the nut horned and bilocular. There is but one species, a native of Virginia. 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 appearing in November and December, when the leaves are fallen, than for their beauty.—It may be propagated either by seeds or layers.