A witch's hat is a classic symbol of witches and witchcraft. It is often depicted as a tall and pointed hat with a wide brim. The hat is usually black, although it can sometimes be seen in other dark colors such as purple or green. The pointed shape of the hat is one of its most distinctive features. The point at the top of the hat is often slightly bent or curved, giving it a whimsical and mysterious appearance. The wide brim of the hat is typically flat and extends outwards, providing shade and protection from the elements.
Take your string or strip of cloth and tie it to the marker or pencil, tape your other end on the mark you made, and make an arc of 16in. radius on your card.
As she fed, she injected chemicals that induced the growing leaf to multiply its cells around her, forming a hollow cone-shaped gall that provided the aphid with a shelter against predators and the weather. In Virginia this month, you can see what appears to be small about 3 8-inches tall , blackish witches hats on the aging leaves of a common native shrub called can you believe it.
The wide brim of the hat is typically flat and extends outwards, providing shade and protection from the elements. It can also add to the overall sense of drama and mystique that is often associated with witches. The hat is often made from a sturdy material such as felt or fabric, which helps to maintain its shape and structure.
Nature News: Witches’ Hats
Marlene A. Condon is the author/photographer of The Nature-friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stackpole Books; information at www.marlenecondon.com). You can reach her at [email protected]
Witches’ Hats at Halloween (Witch Hazel Leaf Gall Aphid)
Perhaps nothing is associated more with Halloween than witches who are always pictured as wearing conical black hats. In Virginia this month, you can see what appears to be small (about 3/8-inches tall), blackish witches’ hats on the aging leaves of a common native shrub called (can you believe it?) “Witch Hazel”(Hamamelis virginiana).
Each “hat” is the result of a miniscule wingless female Witch Hazel Leaf Gall aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis) that hatched in spring from an egg left upon a branch the previous year. The purplish black, pear-shaped aphid made her way to a leaf bud to feed upon the plant’s sugary juices.
As she fed, she injected chemicals that induced the growing leaf to multiply its cells around her, forming a hollow cone-shaped gall that provided the aphid with a shelter against predators and the weather. Here she fed and produced a new generation of aphids asexually, which means each of her offspring was a clone of its mother.
The witch-hat galls first appear in springtime, colored a bright red that over time turns yellowish green. By fall, the galls are dark brown or black and you can see them by looking closely at the leaves of the Witch Hazel. This plant can often be found growing along rivers and streams, but it is also quite common at higher elevations, such as in Shenandoah National Park and around Mountain Lake in southwestern Virginia.
Witch Hazel is a garden plant of interest to gardeners because it starts blooming so late in the year, thus adding interest to the landscape after the usual growing season. Come mid-fall, light-yellow strap-like blooms appear, often while the shrub still has its yellowing leaves which tend to hide them. However, once the leaves drop, the blossoms become much more conspicuous.
Some folks might choose to grow Witch Hazel for the medicinal properties of its bark, twigs, or leaves, but I chose to plant several of these shrubs many years ago specifically to get to see the little witch hats on the leaves. It’s a bit of fantasy brought to life.
Aphids are at the bottom of the food chain, serving as a vital food source for numerous kinds of critters, such as hummingbirds, ladybugs, and immature mantids that are so small themselves that they can only catch and eat insects tinier than they are. Witch Hazel Leaf Gall aphids are more vulnerable to predation on their alternate host, the birch tree, where they do not make a gall.
I was thrilled to discover that this shrub easily supports numerous other kinds of insects, such as a very slim caterpillar that pulls a leaf edge over itself that is as neatly folded as a napkin! And just this year, I discovered the Gray Squirrel feeds voraciously upon Witch Hazel seeds.
In the wild, Witch Hazel tends to be an understory plant, growing beneath the canopy of tall trees. But at home, you can grow it in a location that gets full sun to part shade.
The easiest way to make the cone is to bring the 2 seam allowances together (the half inches that were added.) and staple them one half inch from the edge all along from the bottom to the top.
It is often embellished with various decorative elements such as ribbons, feathers, or buckles, which can add to its magical and enchanting aesthetic. While the classic witch's hat is a staple in popular culture and Halloween costumes, it is important to note that the depiction of witches and their attire can vary across different cultures and traditions. In some cases, witches may be portrayed wearing different styles of hats or headwear entirely. Nonetheless, the image of the tall, pointed hat with a wide brim has become synonymous with witchcraft in many parts of the world. It continues to be a recognizable and iconic symbol of these magical beings..
Reviews for "Unraveling the Mystery of the Witches Hat: A Historical Perspective"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "What does a witches hat look like". The storyline was weak and the characters lacked depth. The book seemed rushed and it didn't hold my attention. The illustrations were also mediocre and didn't bring the story to life. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Jake - 1 star - "What does a witches hat look like" was a huge letdown. The writing style was choppy and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. The story lacked originality and creativity - it felt like a clichéd Halloween tale. The illustrations were lackluster and poorly executed, adding to the overall disappointment of the book. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "What does a witches hat look like" failed to capture my attention. The story was predictable and lacked any exciting or unique elements. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked personality. The illustrations were underwhelming and didn't add much to the overall reading experience. I was hoping for a captivating and engaging read, but sadly this book fell short.
4. Kevin - 2 stars - I was not impressed with "What does a witches hat look like". The story was overly simplistic and lacked any substantial depth. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, making it hard to connect with them. The illustrations were mediocre at best and didn't enhance the reading experience. Overall, this book was forgettable and didn't meet my expectations.