Native Plants
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Betula nana
Betula nana L.
Dwarf Birch, Swamp Birch
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: BENA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)
Swamp birch or dwarf birch is a dwarf shrub that has many branches growing along the ground before turning up at the tips. The small, rounded and toothed leaves are dark green on top and paler beneath.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub , Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Samara
Size Notes: Stems sprawling, creeping or upright, up to about 3 feel long.
Leaf: Green.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , ME , MT , NH , NY , OR , SD , UT , VT , WA , WYCanada: AB , MB , NB , NS , NT
Native Distribution: AK to Greenland
Native Habitat: Wet bogs & tundra areas
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Adapts to drier soils.
Propagation
Description: Sow seeds as soon as ripe in moist, sandy, shaded soil. Germination is facilitated by exposure to light; never plant too deeply. Seedlings can be transplanted at one year.Seed Collection: Birch seed is collected by picking the catkins while they are still green enough to hold together. They shatter easily and should be put directly into bags.
Seed Treatment: One month cold stratification compensates for light treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC |
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Betula nana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Betula nana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Betula nana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-12Research By: TWC Staff