Birch

genus of plants

A birch tree is a thinleaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula.[2] They are in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams.

Birch
Temporal range: Ypresian–Recent
Silver birch
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Subfamily: Betuloideae
Genus: Betula
L.
Subgenera
  • Betulenta
  • Betulaster
  • Neurobetula
  • Betula
  • Chamaebetula
Range of Betula
Synonyms[1]
  • Betulaster Spach
  • Apterocaryon Opiz
  • Chamaebetula Opiz
Birch trunk' relief

Betula contains 30 to 60 species of which 11 are on the IUCN 2011 Green List of Threatened Species. They are usually rather short-lived pioneer species widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.[3]

References change

  1. "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org.
  2. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  3. Ashburner K. & McAllister H.A. 2013. The genus Betula: a taxonomic revision of birches. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.