Betula pubescens Ehrh. subsp. pubescens
downy birch (European white birch; silver birch)
Betulaceae (Birch family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
downy birch (European white birch; silver birch)
Betulaceae (Birch family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
Map
Distribution of Betula pubescens subsp. pubescens
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend
Species Information
General:
Deciduous tree, 10-30 m tall; bark white or brown, often peeling; twigs short-hairy, not glandular.
Leaves:
Alternate, deciduous, rounded in outline, hairy below, rarely glandular, 1-5 cm long.
Flowers:
Male and female flowers in separate catkins, the male 3-6 cm long, the female 1-4 cm long; flowers emerging before or with the leaves; catkins breaking up at maturity.
Fruits:
Nutlets with broad wings, at least 1-1 1/2 times as wide as the body of the nutlets; bracts with rounded lateral lobes.