72 MISC. PUBLICATION 3038, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
gradually; branches root where they touch the ground; not subject to black 
stem rust and not under quarantine; berries soften over winter and become 
more available to birds; much cultivated, and many cultivated varieties known; 
25,000—28,000 seeds per pound, germination 80 percent, about 4,000 usable plants 
per pound of seed. 
Stomach records: Ruffed grouse. Observations: Seven species of birds, includ- 
ing ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse (of value during winter), and bob- 
white; cottontail rabbit. 
Berberis trifoliolata Moric. Agarita. 
Odostemon trifoliolatus (Moric.) Heller, Makonia trifoliolata Fedde, 
Range: 11, 16, 17, 20. 
Site: Dry, well-drained, sun. 
Fruit: Berry, available April—May. 
A small to large evergreen shrub; thicket forming; occurs on gravelly and 
other soils; fruit edible; susceptible to black stem rust. A good honey plant. 
Berberis vulgaris L. European barberry. 
Range: 22, 27. 
Site: Well-drained, sun. 
Fruit: Berry; available August-September, persistent through the 
winter. 
A small to large shrub introduced from Europe but naturalized in the regions 
indicated; much cultivated, and many varieties known; most susceptible of all 
species to the black stem rust; being eradicated in some areas. 
Stomach records: Six species of birds, including ruffed grouse and bobwhite. 
Observations: Ring-necked pheasant, mockingbird. 
Berberis wilcoxii Kearn. 
Odostemon wilcoxiit (Kearn.) Heller. 
Range: 10, 11. 
Site: Dry, well-drained, sun. 
Fruit: Berry. 
A small shrub; has not been tested for Susceptibility to black stem rust. 
Berchemia scandens (Hill) Trel. Rattan vine. 
Range: 20; 25, 28, 29, 30: 
Site: Well-drained, moist, sun. 
Fruit: Drupe, available July—October. es 
A vigorous, much-branched vine; flowers March—June; occurs in sandy and 
other soils. 
Stomach records: 14 species of birds, including wood duck, mallard, bobwhite, 
and turkey. Observations: Much eaten by migratory birds. 
Bernardia myricaefolia (Scheele) Wats. Myrtle croton. 
Tyria myricaefolia Scheele. 
Range: 10, 11, 16,17, 20: 
Site: Dry, sun. 
Fruit: Capsule. 
A small to large shrub; flowers in April; will grow under extremely adverse 
conditions. Eaten at times by very hungry stock. 
Berthelotia sericea, see Pluchea sericea. 
Betula spp. Birches. 
Trees or shrubs; generally short-lived; propagation is by seeds sown as soon 
as ripe or stored dry and after stratification at 32°-50° F., for 6 weeks, planted 
in spring. 
Stomach records (in addition to specific records) : Twelve species of birds, 
including gray and eastern ruffed grouse, ptarmigan, sharp-tailed grouse, and 
woodcock ; composed 0.8 percent of entire fall food of prairie chickens in Wis- 
consin, 0.73 percent of entire fall food of sharp-tailed grouse in Wisconsin, 46.9 
percent of all winter food of northern sharp-tailed grouse in Ontario and 
Quebec, 12.26 percent of winter food of ruffed grouse in New York, and 5.6 
percent of winter food of ruffed grouse in the northeastern United States; 
northern white-tailed deer, plains white-tailed deer. Observations (in addition 
to specific records): Twenty-one species of birds, including spruce grouse, 
ptarmigan, sharp-tailed grouse; staple winter food of greater prairie chicken, 
pinnated grouse, and ruffed grouse; important food of snowshoe hare, porcu- 
pine; an important food of beaver where Populus is lacking. The western 
species are browsed fairly well by livestock. 
