February 22, 2010
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis vernalis
This very early spring flowering shrub is growing next to the Perimeter Road just south of Little Fresh Pond, in the newly planted strip of woods. According to the US Department of Agriculture website, this species is native to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. It grows well in New England, however, and people love to see the cheerful yellow flowers before anything else is growing. There is a Witch Hazel that is native to New England: Hamamelis virginiana. It blooms late in the fall, with similar yellow flowers. Both species can be found at Fresh Pond Reservation.