Biology:Betula alnoides

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of birch

Betula alnoides
Betula alnoides Bra56.png
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Betulaceae
Genus: Betula
Subgenus: Betula subg. Betulaster
Species:
B. alnoides
Binomial name
Betula alnoides
Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Synonyms

Betula acuminata Wall.[2]

Betula alnoides (Chinese: 西桦; pinyin: xi hua; Thai: กำลังเสือโคร่ง, RTGSkamlang suea khrong, literally: "tiger power") is a species of birch that can be found in natural condition of such countries as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China , India , Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam at an elevation of 300–2,100 metres (980–6,890 ft) and higher in some cases (up to 2,700 metres (8,900 ft)).[3][4][5][6][7] The southernmost of all known birch species, whose natural range reaches approximately 12° N in Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia.

Description

The plant is 30 metres (98 ft) tall with white coloured branches. It has 1.5–3 centimetres (0.59–1.18 in) long petioles and has a 2.5–5.5 centimetres (0.98–2.17 in) long leaf blade that is lanceolate, ovate, papery, and even elliptic. The female inflorescences a pendulous and cylindric raceme, that, by time it matures, reaches a diameter of 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) by 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in). The peduncle is 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) long while the diameter of the bracts is only 3 millimetres (0.12 in). The seeds are ripe from March to May and are 1.5–2 millimetres (0.059–0.079 in) long while the flowers bloom from October to January.

Uses

Betula alnoides inner bark is edible and is used for making cakes and bread. It is also considered to be an antidote against snakebites and is used to treat dislocated bones.[7]

Betula alnoides in Sim's Park, Coonoor (cultivated).

References

Wikidata ☰ Q4085314 entry