Tree species of birch with notable red peeling bark
Betula albosinensis, commonly known as the Chinese red birch, is a species of birch in the family Betulaceae, native to Western China. It is notable for its distinctive peeling bark and is cultivated as an ornamental tree.
Description
Betula albosinensis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 m (82 ft) in height,[2] with some specimens reaching 18 to 27 m (60 to 90 ft).[3] The trunk can reach a circumference of 1.8 to 3.4 m (6 to 11 ft).[3]
Bark
A distinctive feature is the red birch's peeling bark, which is brown but cream when newly exposed.[2] The bark has been described as bright orange to orange-red, peeling off in very thin sheets. Each new layer of bark is covered with a white glaucous bloom, giving it a unique appearance.[3]
Leaves
The leaves are ovate, 5 to 7.6 cm (2 to 3 in) long and 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1 to 1.5 in) wide, with a slender point and rounded base. They have unevenly jagged teeth along the edges and 9 to 14 pairs of veins. Young leaves have hair between the veins, becoming smooth (glabrous) with age.[3]
Catkins
Brown catkins are produced in Spring.[2] Male catkins are 3.8 to 6.4 cm (1.5 to 2.5 in) long, while female catkins are 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1 to 1.5 in) long and about 8 mm (1/3 in) wide. Female catkins are usually solitary, sometimes in pairs.[3]
Other features
Young shoots are slightly glandular, becoming dark brown and smooth with scattered warts as they age.[3]
Taxonomy
Betula albosinensis was first described by Burkill in 1899 in the Journal of the Linnean Society.[4] The Latin specific name albosinensis means "white, from China".[5]
Synonyms include B. bhojpattra var. sinensis and B. utilis var. sinensis.[6]
Recent taxonomic revisions have proposed reclassifying this taxon as Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis (Burkill) Ashburner & McAll. This reclassification was published in Ashburner & McAllister's 2013 work "The genus Betula: a taxonomic revision of birches".[7] This classification is accepted by the World Flora Online (WFO) and Plants of the World Online (POWO).[6][8]
Distribution and habitat
Betula albosinensis is native to Western China.[1] More specifically, it is found in North-Central China, South-Central China, Southeast China, and Inner Mongolia. It grows primarily in temperate biomes.[6]
Uses
Cultivation
Betula albosinensis is grown as an ornamental tree for parks and large gardens, valued for its striking bark.[3] It was first introduced to cultivation in the West by E.H. Wilson in 1901, who collected specimens in Western Hupeh (now Hubei) province.[3]
Numerous cultivars have been produced. The cultivars 'Fascination'[9] and 'Red Panda'[10] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Gallery
References
