Betula nana
| Dwarf Birch | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Genus: | Betula |
| Subgenus: | Chamaebetula |
| Species: | B. nana |
| Binomial name | |
| Betula nana L. |
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Betula nana (dwarf birch) is a species of birch in the family Betulaceae, found mainly in the tundra of the Arctic region.
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Description [edit]
It is a shrub growing to 1-1.2 m high. The bark is non-peeling and shiny red-copper colored.[1] The leaves are rounded, 6-20 mm diameter, with a bluntly toothed margin. They become red in the autumn. The fruiting catkins are erect, 5-15 mm long and 4-10 mm broad.
Distribution [edit]
B. nana is native to arctic and cool temperate regions of northern Europe, northern Asia and northern North America and it will grow in a variety of conditions.It can be found in Greenland. Outside of far northern areas, it is usually found only growing in mountains above 300 m, up to 835 m in Scotland and 2200 m in the Alps. Its eastern range limit is on Svalbard, where it is confined to warm sites.
Ecology [edit]
There are two subspecies:
- Betula nana subsp. nana. Canada (Baffin Island), Greenland, northern Europe (south to the Alps at high altitudes), northwestern Asia. Young twigs hairy, but without resin; leaves longer (to 20 mm), usually as long as broad.
- Betula nana subsp. exilis. Northeastern Asia, northern North America (Alaska, Canada east to Nunavut). Young twigs hairless or only with scattered hairs, but coated in resin; leaves shorter (not over 12 mm long), often broader than long.
References [edit]
- ^ Ewing, Susan. The Great Alaska Nature Factbook. Portland: Alaska Northwest Books, 1996.
