Witch hazel

Witch hazel, low tree or shrub (genus Hamamelis) growing in eastern North America and eastern Asia. It produces its small, yellow flowers in the autumn, when the leaves have fallen. A year later the seeds ripen and are thrown 20 ft (6.2 m) or more when the pods dry up and contract suddenly. Extracts from its bark and leaves are used in aftershave lotions and lotions for treating bruises.