Witch alder Fothergilla major) belongs to the Hamamelidaceae (Witch hazel family). It is a small deciduous tree that is native to the Allegheny Mountains of southeastern United States. This tree grows in woodland and swamps, up to a height of 1.8-3 m. The leaves are opposite, leathery, ovate to obovate, dark green above and blue-gray beneath. Foliage turns yellow, orange and red-purple in fall. The tiny, fragrant, apetalous, white flowers bloom in spring after the foliage emerges. Flower color comes from the dense clusters of showy stamens. Genus name honors English physician and botanist, Dr. John Fothergill.