Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains

Betulaceae, the Birch Family

Monoecious trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, stipulate, serrate, pinnately veined. Flowers much reduced and imperfect; the male and female flowers produced in separate catkins on the same individual. Flowers 3 per scale in the catkin; perianth none; stamens 2-10; carpels 2, each with a stigma and style, ovary 2-celled, 4-ovuled. Fruit a winged nutlet, 1-seeded by abortion.

Lead	Characteristic	Go To
1	Catkins in terminal clusters of 3-several; pistillate scales unlobed.	Genus Alnus
1	Catkins borne singly; pistillate scales 3-lobed.	Genus Betula

11. Betulaceae, the Birch Family

1. Alnus P. Mill. -- Alder

1. Alnus incana (L.) Moench -- Speckled alder

2. Betula L. -- Birch

1. Betula glandulosa Michx. -- Dwarf birch, swamp birch

Previous Section -- Urticaceae - The Nettle Family
Return to Contents
Next Section -- Chenopodiaceae - The Goosefoot Family