Gold, frankincense and myrrh

Oliver Dawson takes a close look at the witch hazel and its association with Epiphany, when the three Wise Men brought gifts to the infant Jesus

- Oliver Dawson

IT was the distinguished plantsman, the late E.A. Bowles, who first discovered religious significance in the flowers of the witch hazel, or Hamamelis. He named it the Epiphany flower, as its spidery scented blossom is always open by 6 January – the date fixed by the church to celebrate this Christian festival.

Epiphany marks the time at which the Magi, the wise men from the east, came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant Jesus. In the Hamamelis flower the yellow petals are the gold, frankincense is represented by its delicate fragrance and myrrh by the reputedly medicinal properties of the bark and leaves.

Growing in the wild