312 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SHRUBS 



The species seen with chalky hark is generally the White Bikch — Betula 

 Alba — of Europe, which grows to the height of 80 feet in its regular form. 

 There are a score of named varieties some of which are low trees and some 

 only shrubs, as European White Birch — Betula p^ndula (652). 



The four species always shrubby in growth are : Scrdb or Dwarf Birch 

 (553) — Betula glandulbsa, — 1 to 4 feet high with rounded small leaves, 

 J to 1 inch long, and brown glandular warty twigs ; Dwarf Birch (554) 



— Betula n^na, — a low spreading 



j^iyyi smooth shrub rarely 4 feet high 



with small rounded notched leaves 



_ broader than long ; Low or Swamp 



Fig. 554. — Dwarf Birch. 



Fig. 555. — Low Birch. 



Birch (555) — Betula ptimila, — 2 to 15 feet high with longer and less 

 rounded leaves having dense brownish hairs below when young; and 

 Shrdbbt Birch (556) — Betula hiunilis, — 2 to 6 feet high, with glandular 

 twigs and crenately-serrate smooth leaves ^ to 1 J inches long. [Seeds.] 



Alnus. The Alders are generally shrubby plants growing abundantly 

 along streams and in damp places. They have alternate simple straight- 

 veined notched deciduous leaves and dry rounded cones which remain on 

 the bushes throughout the year ; these cones are the best test of the 

 alders. Mo.st have catldn flowers opening in early spring. The species 

 with fall catkins is usually a tree to 30 feet. Seaside Alder (557) — Alnus 

 marttima, — which has shining foliage and yellow catkins in August to 

 September, 



