Family Betulaceae
• By Noah Berglund
Genera
• Birches (Betula)• Alders (Alnus)• Hazels (Corylus)• Hornbeams (Carpinus)
• Hop-hornbeams (Ostrya) • 120-170 species
Classification & Characteristics
• Deciduous nut-bearing trees and shrubs • Found in the northern hemisphere, and along the
mountains to South America.• They are usually found near streams and lakes, or other
poorly drained areas. • Leaves – alternate, simple, stipulate.• Pollinate by wind
Birches (Betula)
• Small to medium sized tree.
• Mostly in northern temperate climates
• The bark of all birches is characteristically marked with long horizontal lenticels, and often separates into thin papery plates, especially the Paper Birch
www.lullymoreheritagepark.com/birchtreeblog.htm
Alders (Alnus)• Most common hardwood in the pacific
northwest
• Shade intolerant
•home.howstuffworks.com/common-alder-tree.htm
Hazels (Corylus)
• Small tree
• Male and female flowers are found on the same tree
• www.geograph.org.uk/photo/549254
Hornbeams (Carpinus)
• Also known as Ironwood
• Only 1 species in North America, most are in Asia
www.louisvillebonsai.org/post/2008/05/Botanic...
Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya)• Wood is very hard
• Gets its name, for the seeds look like that of a hops plant used in beer.
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/trees/hophornbeam-east.htm
References
• Walters, Dirk., Keil, David., Murrell, Zack. 2006. Vascular Plant Taxonomy. 5th ed. U.S,: Kendal/Hunt. 180. Print.
• Betulaceae. (2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 20, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/63629/Betulaceae
• Pictures found at URL on the page.
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