This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Betula platyphylla
  • White Birch

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

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Betula platyphylla has 0 edible uses listed
Betula platyphylla has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - cooked. Rich in starch[1]. It can be dried and ground into a meal and used as a thickener in soups etc or mixed with flour for making bread, biscuits etc. Inner bark is generally only seen as a famine food, used when other forms of starch are not available or are in short supply[K]. Sap. Used for making a vinegar[1].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Sap

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Betula platyphylla.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark of the sub-species Betula platyphylla japonica is often used medicinally in Korea. It contains several medically active constituents including triterpenoids and flavonoids and is antifungal, anti-inflammatory and tonic[2]. It is used in the treatment of conditions such as internal diseases and inflammation[2]. The root bark, and other parts of the plant, show anticancer activity[3].

Unknown part

Cancer
Antifungal
Antiinflammatory
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[4][5][6][7]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[4][5][7]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[6][7]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[7]. 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[4][5][6][7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Betula platyphylla. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[8][9]. Tolerates most soils including poor soils and heavy clays[9]. Fairly wind tolerant[9].

A fast-growing but short-lived tree[9]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[10]. This species is closely related to B. pendula[8]. A good plant to grow near the compost heap, aiding the fermentation process[11].

Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Betula platyphylla. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Betula platyphylla.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Betula platyphylla
Genus
Betula
Family
Betulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[2][3]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[8][12][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
20 x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  10. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  11. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  12. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

"image:Betula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Betula_platyphylla&oldid=75606"
Facts about "Betula platyphylla"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyBetulaceae +
Belongs to genusBetula +
Has binomial nameBetula platyphylla +
Has common nameWhite Birch +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partInner bark + and Sap +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageBetula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height20 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useCancer +, Antifungal +, Antiinflammatory + and Tonic +
Has primary imageBetula platyphylla 01-10-2005 14.55.52.JPG +
Has search namebetula platyphylla + and white birch +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameBetula platyphylla +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Betula platyphylla +, Betula platyphylla +, Betula platyphylla +, Betula platyphylla +, Betula platyphylla + and Betula platyphylla +