Leaves lobed, with uneven bases. Buds hairy, stalked at base, without scales. Leaves and twigs hairless. Seed pods stubby, with 4 parts. Flowers yellow,petals very narrow and randomly curved.
Witch hazel is one of a very few species that flowers in autumn.
Fruits August - October. Seed pods visible any time. The points of the rods must point north and south, so that the rod is influenced by both the rising and setting sun. Supposedly the rods tug downward when there is water or gold beneath the ground. Witch hazel also has several medicinal uses.