Dwarf birch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf birch |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Betula
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| Species: |
nana
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The dwarf birch, also known as Betula nana, is a small tree or bush. It belongs to the birch family and is mostly found in the very cold, treeless lands called the tundra in the Arctic.
Contents
What Does Dwarf Birch Look Like?
The dwarf birch is a type of shrub (a small, bushy plant) that can grow up to about 1 to 1.2 meters tall. It has shiny, reddish-copper bark that doesn't peel off like some other birch trees.
Its Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the dwarf birch are small and round, usually about 6 to 20 millimeters across. They have edges that look like tiny teeth. The top side of the leaves is a darker green. After the snow melts in spring, new leaves grow. In autumn, these leaves turn a beautiful red color.
The plant also produces special structures called catkins. These are like small, fuzzy flowers that stand straight up. They are about 5 to 15 millimeters long. The wind helps to spread the pollen from these catkins, allowing the plant to make seeds.
Where Does Dwarf Birch Grow?
The dwarf birch naturally grows in the cold Arctic and cool temperate parts of the world. You can find it in places like Greenland, Iceland, northern Europe, northern Asia, and northern North America.
Mountain Habitats
In areas that are not as far north, the dwarf birch usually grows only in mountains. For example, in Scotland, it can be found up to 835 meters high. In the Alps, it grows even higher, up to 2200 meters. The most northern place it grows is on Svalbard, where it only survives in warmer spots.
Preferred Conditions
This plant likes places that are wet but also drain well. It prefers soil that doesn't have many nutrients and is a bit acidic. It can also grow in rocky, dry areas. The dwarf birch does not like to grow in the shade, so it needs plenty of sunlight. In the United Kingdom, many dwarf birch populations have become much smaller recently.
Types of Dwarf Birch
There are two main types, or subspecies, of dwarf birch:
- Betula nana subsp. nana: This type is found in places like Canada (Baffin Island), Greenland, northern Europe (including high parts of the Alps), and northwestern Asia. Its young twigs are hairy but don't have a sticky resin. Its leaves are usually longer, up to 20 millimeters, and are often as long as they are wide.
- Betula nana subsp. exilis: This type grows in northeastern Asia and northern North America (like Alaska and parts of Canada). Its young twigs are mostly smooth or have only a few hairs, but they are covered in a sticky resin. Its leaves are shorter, usually not more than 12 millimeters long, and are often wider than they are long.
Images for kids
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Dwarf birch in Norway, September 2012, at 1000 meters above sea level.
