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Betula alnoides - Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.

Common Name
Family Betulaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests, ravines and streamsides, Himachel Pradesh to S.W. China, 1500 - 2700 metres[51].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas to S.W. China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Betula alnoides


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Betula alnoides
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Betula alnoides is a deciduous Tree growing to 40 m (131ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. acuminata.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark
Edible Uses:

Inner bark - can be dried, then ground into a powder and added to flour for use in making bread, cakes etc[177]. 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].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote  Antiseborrheic

The plant has been used as an antidote in the treatment of snake bites[240, 243]. A decoction of the bark is used to treat dislocated bones[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Paper  Wood

The thin layer of outer bark is used as a paper[61]. The juice of the bark is used for decorating wood[272]. Wood - moderately hard, close grained, strong, durable[146, 158]. Used for minor construction[272].

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes wet soils[200]. Shade tolerant[200]. This species is not very hardy and does not always succeed outdoors in Britain but some provenances should be hardy[11]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[50]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[78, 80, 113, 134]. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position[78, 80, 134]. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame[113, 134]. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help[134]. 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[78, 80, 113, 134].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Fujian Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Hainan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng (south)) TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don.

Botanical References

1151200

Links / References

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