Practical
Plants

Betula glandulosa

Scrub Birch

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Betula genus in the family Betulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Betula
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and catkins - raw[4]. The buds and twigs are used as a flavouring in stews[4].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is antirheumatic, astringent, lithontripic, salve and sedative[4].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Lithontripic
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Sedative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is valuable for ground cover[6]. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair conditioner and dandruff treatment[4].

Product or use
Hair care

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
North-western N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, southwards on mountain ranges.
Habitat
Streambanks, marsh margins, lakes and bogs, also found on alpine slopes[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 1+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[9][10][2][3]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[9][10][3]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[2][3]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter[9][10][2][3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[1][5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Shade tolerant[5]. B. glandulifera, mentioned above as a synonym of this species, might be a separate species in its own right[1][5]. This species is native to areas with very cold winters and often does not do well in milder zones. It can be excited into premature growth in mild winters and this new growth is susceptible to frost damage[5]. The branches are covered in aromatic glands, and the leaves are pleasantly fragrant when crushed[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. This species is closely related to B. nana[1]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  7. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  8. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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