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.