THE DICOTYLEDONS 533 
Fic. 403.—Hamamelis virginiana. Upper figure shows this shrub as it appears 
in autumn after the leaves have fallen. Note that the plant is in blossom. Lower 
figure shows a flowering branch from the same plant. The bright yellow flowers 
occur in axillary clusters appearing at the same time as the ripening of fruits — 
blossoms of the previous year. A leaf of the plant, commonly known as Witch 
Hazel, is shown on p. 239. The recently cut and partially dried twigs and leaves 
are used in the preparation of Witch-hazel water or Aqua Hamamelidis. 
