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Betula winteri - Winter's Birch

Betula winteri, commonly known as Winter's Birch, is a species of birch tree within the genus Betula.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Betula winteri Dugle
• Common Name: Winter's Birch
• Family: Betulaceae (Birch Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Synonyms:
  • Betula alajica Litv.
  • Betula austrosichotensis V.N.Vassil. &amp V.I.Baranov
• Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 183549 (for Betula X winteri)

Distribution and Habitat

This birch is sometimes referred to as American Gray Birch and frequently hybridizes with the hexaploid Paper Birch (Betula neoalaskana).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Female catkins are borne singly along the twigs, while male catkins are found at the ends of the twigs, often in pairs creating conspicuous V-shapes during the winter.
• Some birches, such as Betula jacquemontii, have attractive white bark that provides winter interest.
• Betula nigra exhibits shaggy masses of bark with multicolored papery curls, creating eye-catching winter interest.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Betula winteri is a hybrid resulting from the hybridization of B. resinifera and B. papyrifera.
• It also hybridizes with B. glandulosa to produce B. uliginosa.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Betula winteri.
• Refer to the United States Department of Agriculture for more information on the taxonomy of the birch genus.
• Search for Betula winteri in The Plant List, IPNI, Australian Plant Name Index, and NYBG Virtual Herbarium.
• EOL (Encyclopedia of Life) also has information related to the taxon.

Quirky Facts

• The hybrid between American Gray Birch (Betula neoalaskana) and the hexaploid Paper Birch is known as Betula winteri.
• In some households, birch wood was historically used for heating during the winter months.