CUPULIFER^ 



RED BIRCH, Betula nigra. 



Parks, gardens. May. This is a water-loving tree of singular beauty, 

 the thin broad flakes of red bark producing a wild and very picturesque effect 

 during the winter months. 



Flowei'S monoecious ; 3Iak' catkins clustered, 2-3 ins. long, scales ovate, 

 brown ; Females \ in. long, scales green, ovate, rounded or acute, pubescent, 

 ciliate ; Fruiting cone cylindrical, 1-1^ in. long, pubescent, erect, peduncles 

 tomentose, samara puberulous, nut ovate or oval, as broad as wing, ripe in 

 May or June. 



Leaves alternate, rhombic-ovate, cuneate, acute, doubly serrated, on young 

 branches often lobed, thin, tough, tomentose when young, 11-3 ins. long, 1-2 

 ins. wide, dark shining green ; petioles slender, flattened, tomentose ; stipules 

 ovate, rounded or acute, pilose. Autumn tint dull yellow. 



A deciduous tree, 60-70 ft. ; Branches slender ; Twigs tomentose, red-brown ; 

 Trunk often dividing not far from ground into several erect limbs ; Bark red- 

 brown, deeply furrowed, scaly ; young stems and branches reddish-brown or 

 silvery-grey, large thin papery scales, peeling, remaining on tree for several 

 years ; Buds ovate, acute, brown, glabrous or slightly puberulous ; Wood light, 

 hard, strong, close-grained, light brown. 



Introduced from N. America by Peter CoUinson, 1736. Also called River 

 Birch. 



CANOE BIRCH, Betula impyrif era. 



Parks, gardens. April, May. 



Floiccrs monoecious ; Male catkins clustered, bright yellow, 3^-4 ins. long, 

 scales ovate, acute, brown; Females 1-1 i in. long, scales lanceolate, light 

 green, styles bright red ; Fruiting cone cylindrical, l.l in. long, glabrous, nut 

 oval, narrower than wing. 



Leaves alternate, ovate, acute or acuminate, cuneate or cordate at base, 



serrated, entire at base, glandiilar and pubescent when young, later usually 



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