Birch

Many species;

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see text and classification

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Birch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. These are generally small to medium-size trees or shrubs, mostly of northern temperate climates. The simple leaves may be toothed or lobed. The fruit is a small samara, although the wings may be obscure in some species. They differ from the alders (Alnus, the other genus in the family) in that the female catkins are not woody and disintegrate at maturity, falling apart to release the seeds, unlike the woody cone-like female alder catkins.

Related Topics:
Tree - Betulaceae - Beech - Oak - Fagaceae - Shrubs - Temperate - Leaves - Samara - Alder - Catkin

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The common name birch is derived from an old Germanic root similar to birka. The botanic name Betula is from the original Latin.

Related Topics:
Germanic - Latin

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Birch is used as a food plant by a large number of Lepidoptera species including Emperor Moth, Oak Hook-tip, Large Emerald, Common Emerald, Common Marbled Carpet, November Moth, Autumnal Moth, Brimstone Moth, Purple Thorn, Scalloped Hazel, Feathered Thorn, Dotted Border, Mottled Umber, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, The Engrailed, Common White Wave, Light Emerald, Lime Hawk-moth, Buff-tip, Coxcomb Prominent, Yellow-tail, Buff Ermine and Double Square-spot.

Related Topics:
Lepidoptera - Emperor Moth - Oak Hook-tip - Large Emerald - Common Emerald - Common Marbled Carpet - November Moth - Autumnal Moth - Brimstone Moth - Purple Thorn - Scalloped Hazel - Feathered Thorn - Dotted Border - Mottled Umber - Willow Beauty - Mottled Beauty - The Engrailed - Common White Wave - Light Emerald - Lime Hawk-moth - Buff-tip - Coxcomb Prominent - Yellow-tail - Buff Ermine - Double Square-spot

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