Family Betulaceae By Noah Berglund Genera Birches Betula

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. 5 th 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.