| Betula pubescens, Ehrh. (B. odorata, Bechst. B. alba, Linn., in part). Tree, to 60 ft.: branches upright and spreading, rarely pendulous in old trees; branchlets pubescent and glandless: Lvs. ovate or rhombic-ova 1-2 in. long, rounded, truncate or cuneate at the ba acute, usually unequally and doubly serrate, pubescent beneath, at least while young: strobiles cylindric, about 1 in. long, upright or nodding; scales puberulous lateral lobes upright or spreading, rarely recurved, and Cent. Eu. to E. Siberia. H.W. 2, pp. 24, 25. Var. urticifolia, Spach (B. urticifolia, Regel. B. Alba aspleniifolia, Hort.). Lvs. small, deep green, irregularly incised. Var. variegata, Zabel (B. dlbafoliis variegatis, Hort.). An inconstant form with variegated Lvs. There are also a number of geographical varieties as var. carpatica, Koch; var. songarica, Regel; var. tortuosa, Koehne; var. Murithii, Gremi, which are rarely met with in cult, and horticulturally are of no importance. —In the wild state this species is generally found in moist places, often in swamps, while the preceding species prefers drier situations. | | Betula pubescens, Ehrh. (B. odorata, Bechst. B. alba, Linn., in part). Tree, to 60 ft.: branches upright and spreading, rarely pendulous in old trees; branchlets pubescent and glandless: Lvs. ovate or rhombic-ova 1-2 in. long, rounded, truncate or cuneate at the ba acute, usually unequally and doubly serrate, pubescent beneath, at least while young: strobiles cylindric, about 1 in. long, upright or nodding; scales puberulous lateral lobes upright or spreading, rarely recurved, and Cent. Eu. to E. Siberia. H.W. 2, pp. 24, 25. Var. urticifolia, Spach (B. urticifolia, Regel. B. Alba aspleniifolia, Hort.). Lvs. small, deep green, irregularly incised. Var. variegata, Zabel (B. dlbafoliis variegatis, Hort.). An inconstant form with variegated Lvs. There are also a number of geographical varieties as var. carpatica, Koch; var. songarica, Regel; var. tortuosa, Koehne; var. Murithii, Gremi, which are rarely met with in cult, and horticulturally are of no importance. —In the wild state this species is generally found in moist places, often in swamps, while the preceding species prefers drier situations. |