Betula lenta
Sweet Birch
Betulaceae

Located on the left side of Buckley Hall.

  • leaves alternate, broad oval, serrated margin
  • leaves dark green above, lighter beneath
  • leaves have cordate base; overall smaller than B. alleghaniensis
  • buds imbricate, red-brown
  • stems smooth, red-brown, with wintergreen taste/smell when crushed
  • flowers are catkins in winter and early spring
  • fruit are nutlets in a green swollen catkin
  • bark is smooth, brown-red, with prominent horizontal lenticels
  • bark is cherry-like; does not peel and curl like that of B. alleghaniensis
  • bark may develop some fissuring and blockiness with age

    View Betula lenta page in the UConn Plant Database


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