Betula nana
Dwarf Birch
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Betula genus in the family Betulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Genus
- Betula
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Spread
- 0.45 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[5]. The buds and twigs are used as a flavouring in stews[5].
- 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[5]. Moxa is prepared from the plant and is regarded as an effective remedy in all painful diseases[10]. No more details are given, but it is likely that the moxa is prepared from yellow fungous excretions of the wood, since the same report gives this description when talking about other members of the genus[K]. A compound decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach ache and intestinal discomfort[9].
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Lithontripic
- Product or use
- Miscellany
- Product or use
- Salve
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be used for ground cover, forming a spreading hummock up to 1.2 metres across[8]. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair conditioner and dandruff treatment[5]. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[10]. The plant has been used as a tinder, even when wet, and for cooking fires when there is a lack of larger wood[9]. It is likely that the bark was used for tinder[K].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Hair care
- Product or use
- Tinder
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Arctic and northern Europe, including Britain, east to Siberia.
- Habitat
- Mountain moors, 240 - 840 metres[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 2+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- 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[12][13][2][3]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[12][13][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[12][13][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][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Grows well in moist places or the heath garden[6]. Shade tolerant[7]. 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[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[11]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6