Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Saxifragales>Hamamelidaceae>Fothergilla major (Sims) Loddiges

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

This rare deciduous shrub of the Mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina is similar to Coastal Witchalder (Fothergilla gardenii) of the Coastal Plain, but has larger leaves and flowers. This individual was growing along Barnes Creek, near Dark Mountain, Uwharrie National Forest.

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

The white bottlebrush-like flowers are quite ornamental.

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Showy stamens.

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Bark detail.

Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Bark of a small stem.

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Mountain Witchalder (Fothergilla major)

Flat River, Person Co., NC 4/18/2011.

Witchalder (Fothergilla gardenii x major) Mount Airy

Mountain Witchalder is most frequently seen as a garden ornamental, grown for both its fragrant bottlebrush-like flowers and its brilliant orange-red fall foliage. Also called Large Witch-alder.

The planted specimen at left is actually a hybrid, Fothergilla gardenii × major 'Mount Airy'.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/11/04.

 

More information:
Bioimages
Floridata
NC State
U Connecticut

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