Fothergilla

Fothergilla
Fothergilla gardenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Hamamelidaceae
Genus:	Fothergilla Murr.
Species
Fothergilla gardenii †Fothergilla malloryi Fothergilla major Fothergilla monticola

Fothergilla (witch alder) is a genus of two or three species of flowering plants in the family Hamamelidaceae, native to woodland and swamps of the southeastern United States.

They are low-growing deciduous shrubs growing to 1–3 m (3–10 ft) tall with downy twigs. The brush-like flowers are produced before the leaves in spring on terminal spikes; they do not have any petals, but a conspicuous cluster of white stamens 2–3 cm long. The leaves are alternate, broad ovoid, 4–10 cm long and 3–8 cm broad, with a coarsely toothed margin; they are noted for their brilliant orange or red fall colors.

Flowers of F. major

Species

• Fothergilla gardenii dwarf witch alder
• †Fothergilla malloryi (Extinct, Ypresian, Klondike Mountain Formation)
• Fothergilla major large witch alder
• Fothergilla monticola Alabama witch alder; commonly included in F. major

The genus was named in honor of John Fothergill (physician).

Cultivation and uses

Fothergillas are grown as ornamental plants for their spring flowers and fall foliage color. They are slow-growing, rarely exceeding 1–2 m tall in cultivation.

External links

• Fothergilla major images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu