NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]
Yellow Birch
Scientific Name: |
Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea] |
|---|---|
Genus: |
Betula |
Species Epithet: |
alleghaniensis |
Common Name: |
Yellow Birch |
Plant Type |
Tree |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Betulaceae (Birch Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
36-72 ft., 72-100 ft. |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist, Wet |
Bloom Time: |
April, May |
Growing Area: |
Mountains |
Habitat Description: |
Forests at medium to high elevations, rarely at low elevations. Common in the NC mountains. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Silvery, glossy bark peels in horizontal curls. In NC, is nearing the southern limits of its range. Does not tolerate drought or soil compaction. |
|
Yellow Birch bark peels in horizontal curls Washington Co., RI
Lisa Lofland Gould |
|
|
Dull gold-colored, peeling bark. When you scrape the bark from the twigs, they have a wintergreen scent. Julian Price Memorial Park, Watauga Co., NC
Bettina Darveaux |
|
Links: |
Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/betula-alleghaniensis/ |
![The Scientific Name is Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]. You will likely hear them called Yellow Birch. This picture shows the Yellow Birch bark peels in horizontal curls of Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Betula_alleghaniensis.jpeg "Yellow Birch bark peels in horizontal curls of Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]")
![The Scientific Name is Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]. You will likely hear them called Yellow Birch. This picture shows the Dull gold-colored, peeling bark. When you scrape the bark from the twigs, they have a wintergreen scent. of Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Betula_alleghaniensis_IMG_5196_BD.jpeg "Dull gold-colored, peeling bark. When you scrape the bark from the twigs, they have a wintergreen scent. of Betula alleghaniensis [= Betula lutea]")
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