Hamamelidales

This order has three families and about 150 species.
Most the species in this order are trees and shrubs.

Platanaceae - Sycamore Family

There are nine species in this family. The trees in this group have scaly bark, and clusters of round ball-shaped flowers. Both male and female flowers are on each tree but in different clusters. Trees in this family can be found in North America, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Hamamelidaceae - Witch Hazel Family

There are about 139 Most of the species in this family grow in moist areas. Plants include sweet gum, witch alder and witch hazel.

Extract of the leaves, twigs and bark of the witch hazel is used in astringents and perfumes. The witch hazel gets its name from its forked branches. People once believed that you could locate water by using the branches at a divining rod.

Myrothamnus

There are two species of shrubs in this family. They are found in Madagascar and the southern half of Africa.

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