Betula utilis
Himalayan birch (Betula utilis )
The Himalayan birch (Betula utilis ) is a species of the genus of birch (Betula ) in the birch family ( Betulaceae ). Their home is in the upper altitudes of the Himalayas.
- 5.1 Notes and references
Description
Vegetative characteristics
The Himalayan birch grows as a deciduous shrub or tree that can reach heights of growth of up to 35 meters. The white, reddish white, brown or dark red-brown bark peels off in thin layers. While the branches have a smooth reddish brown bark is that of the resinous twigs hairy brown and dense. The wood is pale colored pink to light reddish brown and has a silky luster.
The alternate arranged on the branches leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. Hairy leaf stalk has a length of 0.8 to 2 centimeters. The simple leaf blade is ovate with a length of 2.5 to 9 cm and a width of 1.8 to 6.2 cm, oblong- ovate to rhombic. The blade tip is tapered or truant. The upper leaf surface is densely hairy shaggy in young leaves. The lower leaf surface is densely covered with resin droplets and has a hair on the ramifications of the veins on. On each side of the center rib can be found 8-14 veins. The leaf margin is irregular cut spitzzähnig.
Generative features
The flowering period extends from May to July. The male catkins have a length of 3 minutes and about 4 millimeters thick and 3.7 centimeters. The hanging female catkins are ovoid - cylindrical in shape and are 3 to 5 inches and a diameter of 7 to 12 mm. The peduncle is 0.5 to 1.5 inches long.
The at a length of 2 to 3 centimeters and a diameter of 1.5 to 2 millimeters ovate - elliptical seeds are winged. Seeds wings have approximately the same size as the grains at the tips, and sometimes one to two appendages. The seeds mature, depending on location in July or August.
The chromosome number is 2n = 56
Occurrence
The natural range of the Himalayan birch extends from Afghanistan to Kashmir, Bhutan, India and Nepal to China. In China they are found in Gansu, Hebei, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan West, East and South Xizang and in Northwest Yunnan. In India, the species occurs in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.
In its Chinese distribution area can be found this way in temperate forest at altitudes 2500-3800 meters. In Kashmir they are found at altitudes 3000-4500 meters. It normally develops from smaller stocks.
System
The first description of Betula utilis was made in 1825 by David Don in Prodromus Florae nepalensis, Betula utilis S. 58th synonyms for D.Don include Betula albosinensis var septentrionalis CKSchneider and Betula bhojpattra Lindl. in Wallich.
From the way Betula utilis two varieties are currently recognized:
- Betula utilis var jacquemontii ( Spach ) HJPWinkl, Syn. Betula jacquemontii Spach: It occurs in Nepal and in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- Betula utilis var utilis D.Don: It occurs in the rest of its range.
Use
The hard and dense but rather brittle wood is in the home of a kind valuable timber represents the bark is occasionally found for roofing as well as a screen cover or paper replacement use. The foliage is used as animal feed.
An infusion of the bark is antiseptic and will help against flatulence. Dropped into the ears, he should help against earache. Previously it was also used for the treatment of jaundice and hysteria.
Swell
- Pei -chun Li & K. Alexei Skvortsov: Betula. In Wu Zheng -yi, Peter H. Raven (eds.): Flora of China. Volume 4: Cycadaceae through Fagaceae, Science Press / Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing / St. Louis 1999, ISBN 0-915279-70-3, p 309 Betula utilis - Online (text same version on efloras.org ) (Section Description and dissemination )
- J. Nasir Yasin: Betulaceae. In: Flora of West Pakistan. 95, Stewart Herbarium, Rawalpindi, 1975, pp. 1-5 (text same version on efloras.org: Betula utilis - Online).