Fothergilla major (Sims) Sweet

Mountain Witch Alder; Large Witch Alder

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Mountain Witch Alder is a native deciduous shrub in the Witch-Hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). It occurs in scattered locations in central and northeast Alabama. Mountain Witch Alder occurs in dry rocky woods, on rocky stream banks, on rocky slopes, and in gorges. It is a small colonial shrub growing from 6-10 feet in height. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and elliptic to orbicular in outline. The leaf margins are sinuate or toothed from about the middle to the apex or are entire. The leaves are stellate pubescent on both surfaces, and the upper surface is sometimes glaucous. The leaves turn red, orange, or yellow before falling in the autumn. Fragrant flowers are produced in dense terminal spikes before or with the leaves. The calyx in cup shaped with 5-7 small lobes. Petals are absent. Each flower has 22-34 stamens with long filaments. The fruit is a capsule. Mountain Witch Alder is available from many nurseries. It requires a well-draining, organically rich soil in full sun or light shade. Best flowering occurs on plants grown in full sun. Mountain Witch Alder is listed as a S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state) and globally as a G3 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors).--A. Diamond

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Native S2 (State Rank) G3 (Global Rank)

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