Betula alnoides

Betula alnoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Fagales
Family:Betulaceae
Genus:Betula
Subgenus:Betula subg. Betulaster
Species: B. alnoides
Binomial name
Betula alnoides

Betula alnoides (Chinese: 西桦; pinyin: xi hua; Thai: กำลังเสือโคร่ง, RTGS: kamlang suea khrong, literally: "tiger power") is a species of birch that can be found in natural condition in such countries as Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam at an elevation of 300–2,100 metres (980–6,890 ft) and higher in some cases (up to 2,700 metres (8,900 ft)).[1][2][3][4][5] The southernmost of all known birch species, whose natural range reaches approximately 12° N in Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia.

Description

The plant is 30 metres (98 ft) tall with white coloured branches. It has 1.5–3 centimetres (0.59–1.18 in) long petioles and has a 2.5–5.5 centimetres (0.98–2.17 in) long leaf blade that is lanceolate, ovate, papery, and even elliptic. The female inflorescences a pendulous and cylindric raceme, that, by time it matures, reaches a diameter of 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) by 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in). The peduncle is 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) long while the diameter of the bracts is only 3 millimetres (0.12 in). The seeds are ripe from March to May and are 1.5–2 millimetres (0.059–0.079 in) long while the flowers bloom from October to January.

Uses

Betula alnoides inner bark is edible and is used for making cakes and bread. It is also considered to be an antidote against snakebites and is used to treat dislocated bones.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Betula alnoides". 4. Flora of China: 306.
  2. ↑ Betula alnoides. Useful Temperate Plants. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2018-06-25. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Betula+alnoides>
  3. ↑ [http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/566415 Trees of Laos and Vietnam: a Field Guide to 100 Economically or Ecologically Important Species. Hoang Van Sam, Khamseng Nanthav Ong & P.J.A. Kessler. BLUMEA — Vol. 49, No. 2 & 3, 2004, p. 201–349]
  4. ↑ Forest Vegetation of Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. A.N. Kuznetsov, S.P. Kuznetsova. BULLETIN OF MOSCOW SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS. BIOLOGICAL SERIES. 2012. Vol. 117, part 5, 2012 September – October, p. 39—50 (in Russian)
  5. 1 2 "Betula alnoides". PFAF. Retrieved December 3, 2013.


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