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Glite Dictionary
Hamamelis vernalis

Hamamelis vernalis

9.9
A small fragrant bush with bright yellow flowers that bloom from late winter to spring
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Hamamelis vernalis
  • Gardeners value Hamamelis vernalis for its fragrance and early flowering.

Examples

  • The bright yellow flowers of Hamamelis vernalis stand out against snowy backgrounds.

  • The Hamamelis vernalis blooms beautifully in the early spring.

  • Hamamelis vernalis blooms in late winter, bringing color to otherwise bare gardens.

  • Have you ever seen a Hamamelis vernalis in full bloom?

  • Hamamelis vernalis is known for its sweet scent and small, delicate flowers that appear during the winter months.

  • In local gardens, Hamamelis vernalis adds charm with its early blossoms and pleasant aroma.

  • The fragrant blossoms of Hamamelis vernalis bring joy to gardeners during the coldest time of the year.

Synonyms

vernal witch hazel
vsHamamelis vernalis
  • US
9.9

A small fragrant shrub from the lower Mississippi valley with tiny flowers that bloom in winter and spring

uses a regional common name rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

Hamamelis vernalis singular
Hamamelis vernalis plural

Morphology

Hamamelis + vernalis

The first element 'Hamamelis' names the witch-hazel genus, so combined with a qualifying epithet the phrase denotes a particular type of witch-hazel. However 'vernalis' is a Latin species epithet meaning 'of spring' and is not a common English word; a B1 learner who does not know this Latin element will not reliably infer the seasonal sense. Because the compound is compositionally meaningful only if the learner knows the Latin epithet and biological naming conventions, it is partially but not fully transparent.

Etymology

Hamamelis vernalis may come from Greek and Latin words. The name Hamamelis may come from Greek parts meaning 'at the same time' and 'apple' because some witch-hazels have flowers and fruit together, and vernalis means 'spring', so the name points to a shrub that blooms in late winter or spring.