Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Betula pendula

Family

Betulaceae

Flowering season

April to May

English distribution

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Silver Birch

Habitat

It grows in mixed woodland and is widely planted in

gardens,  parks and amenity areas.

It is a pioneer plant and spreads quite rapidly into

open ground. such as heathland, moors and sandy areas.

Description

Silver Birch is a native, deciduous tree growing up to

30m.

Flowers appear at the same time as the leaves.

Male catkins are up to 6cm, yellow and drooping.

Female catkins are erect, up to 3cm, green and thinner

than  male catkins.

Fruiting catkins are fatter

Fruits are small, 3-lobed, winged nuts.

Leaves are pointed ovals, up to 5cm and irregularly

toothed.

Twigs are usually pendulous, shiny-brown and

with resinous dots.

Trunks are white and black with scaly, peeling bark.

There are black bosses on the trunk.