Betula papyrifera

Paper birch (Betula papyrifera )

The paper birch (Betula papyrifera ), also known as Canoe Birch or American White Birch, belongs to the birch family ( Betulaceae ). It is distributed in North America.

Naming

The name of paper birch and the epithet papyrifera refers to the fact that the bark was used by Native Americans as a writing material. Further, the waterproof bark for the outer cover in the construction of canoes was used.

Description

The paper birch grows as a deciduous, medium-sized tree, reaching heights of growth of 20 meters, in exceptional cases up to 35 meters and trunk diameter of up to 80 centimeters. The bright white bark peels off in thin horizontal stripes and is often covered with small black marks and scars. The stalked leaves have a simple leaf blade, which is oval, with a length 5 to 12 centimeters and a width of 4-9 centimeters and has a fluted edge.

Like all birch species it is pollinated by the wind. The inflorescences are 3-6 cm long catkins. The many small winged seeds that ripen in autumn, located between the bracts in the inflorescence.

Dissemination

The paper birch is originally native to northern North America. Its main distribution area extends from Newfoundland in the east to Alaska in the west, as far south as Pennsylvania and Washington. Individual deposits are found further south in the mountains of North Carolina and Colorado.

Symbolism

The paper birch is the national tree of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and the American state of New Hampshire.

Taxonomy

A synonym of Betula papyrifera Marshall Betula papyracea Ait is.