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Witch alder
Fothergilla gardenii.jpg
Fothergilla gardenii
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Subfamily: Hamameloideae
Tribe: Fothergilleae
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.

Species

Fothergilla major (Witch alder)
Flowers of F. major
  • 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

Etymology

The genus was named in honor of the English physician and plant collector Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780) of Stratford, Essex, who was known for introducing American plants to Britain.

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. The hybrid cultivar Fothergilla × intermedia 'Mount Airy' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fothergilla para niños

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