| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Lower Rosids
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Family Common Name: Witch Hazel Family
Genera: Fothergilla, Hamamelis |
Defining Features: Plant often
has stellate or tufted hairs. The bases of branches are often swollen.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic (rarely zygomorphic) and bisexual or
unisexual (plant monoecious). Inflorescences are indeterminate as a heads,
racemes or spikes. Colored bracts sometimes present. Ovaries are inferior
to half-inferior with axile placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon.
Fruit a woody capsule. Seeds have endosperm. Seed has bicolor, along with
a hard and shiny seed coat. Seeds may forcibly to become ejected from the
fruit. Vegetative Features: Habit is as shrubs or trees. Leaves simple,
alternate and often palmately lobed. Stipules are present.
Distribution: Mostly in warm
temperate to subtropical regions of the Old World. Mostly Malaysia and
East Asia.
Economic Use: Used medicinally
as tonics, astringents and lotions and for its fragrant hardwood. Also
cultivated as garden ornamentals.
Number of Genera Globally:
27
Number of Species Globally:
82
